Matthew Golden trends toward playing as Panthers visit Packers on TNF

The Green Bay Packers (4-3) host the Carolina Panthers (3-3) on Thursday Night Football tonight, Oct. 29, at 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video from Lambeau Field. The big fantasy question is rookie receiver Matthew Golden, who is questionable with shoulder and foot injuries. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Thursday morning that Golden is trending toward playing.

What is confirmed

Green Bay listed Golden, defensive tackles Devonte Wyatt and Anthony Campbell, and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. as questionable. ESPN's injury report also has cornerback Keisean Nixon questionable and linemen Sean Rhyan and Travis Glover out.

Carolina ruled out edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (hamstring), guard Damien Lewis (knee), cornerback Akayleb Evans and lineman Torricelli Simpkins III. The Panthers are expected to elevate cornerback Marco Wilson and lineman Jake Curhan from the practice squad, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted Carolina has only two healthy corners.

ESPN lists Green Bay as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5.

The fantasy picture

That thin Carolina secondary is the best thing going for Jordan Love, who has 1,958 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Christian Watson leads the Packers with 34 catches for 595 yards and six scores, and a healthy Golden adds another target against backups.

The run game is the odd matchup. Green Bay ranks last in rushing at 59.9 yards a game, and Carolina ranks last against the run at 153.2 allowed, per Underdog NFL. MarShawn Lloyd leads the Packers with 142 rushing yards, so one side of that number has to give.

For Carolina, Bryce Young has 1,712 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Chuba Hubbard has 459 rushing yards and four scores, and rookie Tetairoa McMillan leads the receivers with 36 catches for 511 yards.

What RSO owners should do now

Start Love and Watson with confidence. Start Golden as a flex if he is active, and have a Sunday fallback ready because his foot and shoulder could cap his snaps. Hubbard and McMillan are solid starts given the volume they have earned. Packers inactives post around 6:45 PM ET, so check them before you lock Golden in.

What to watch next

Watch Golden's snap count and whether Lloyd finally gets going against the league's worst run defense. If Wilson ends up playing a big role for Carolina, Love's ceiling goes up tonight.