On December 2, 2021, Malik Heath was involved in a car accident in Mississippi. As a result, his lungs collapsed, he ruptured his lever, and he completely broke his rib cage. He was airlifted to Memphis, Tenn., for emergency surgery, which ended his 2021 college season.
Despite his severe injuries, Heath made a remarkable recovery and transferred to Ole Miss for the 2022 season. In his only season with the Rebels, he led the team with 60 receptions, 971 receiving yards, and five touchdown receptions.
Although Heath went undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Packers on May 1. On August 29, the Packers announced that he made their 53-man roster, continuing Green Bay’s tradition of having at least one undrafted player make the final roster for at least 15 seasons.
Heath’s NFL debut came in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. However, he didn’t record any statistics until Week 11, when he snagged his first catch, a seven-yard pass from Jordan Love, in Green Bay’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 14, Heath scored his first NFL touchdown on a six-yard pass from Love during a 24–22 loss to the New York Giants. He finished the 2023 season with 15 catches for 125 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Jordan Love extensively praised Heath:
Malik is a stud. I think he really made a name for himself last year in the preseason, and he takes advantage of the opportunities he gets. When he was out there in the game, he made some big-time plays. He’s one of the guys you can just throw it up there, and he will go and make a play. There are going to be more opportunities for him this year.
Matt LaFleur values wide receivers who contribute to the running game, and Heath’s ability to get involved in that aspect was a crucial factor in making the final roster last August. “He brings a physical presence to the wide receiver position,” LaFleur said. “that enhances your offense.”
Heath will enter training camp battling for the WR6 spot but can also challenge Bo Melton for the No. 5 position. Green Bay’s core wide receiver group includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, all of whom are locks to make the roster. While Melton isn’t a certainty yet, it would be surprising if he didn’t make the final 53.
The Packers haven’t kept seven wide receivers on their final roster since 2021. If Green Bay decides to keep seven wideouts this year, it would be surprising not to see Heath among those seven. However, it’s more likely that the team will keep only six wide receivers. Heath will compete for a spot with Samori Toure, Grant DuBose, Julian Hicks, and Dimitri Stanley.
Toure has been with the team since 2022, recording 13 receptions on 27 targets for 160 yards and one touchdown. Despite starting only one game in 2023, Heath matched Toure’s production in less time with the team. Heath proved to be a more reliable weapon for Green Bay’s quarterback than Toure. Given Heath’s experience within Matt LaFleur’s system, he should have an advantage over Hicks and Stanley in training camp and preseason.
Many expect Heath to secure the sixth wide receiver spot on the roster, a realistic and likely outcome, barring injuries. However, like Melton, Heath is not a lock and must earn his position through camp and preseason. If Heath performs as Green Bay’s fans have seen in the past, he should have no trouble claiming a spot.
