Sleep? New Packers Receiver Chris Hilton Doesn’t Have Time for That

GREEN BAY, Wis. – What a rollercoaster it’s been for new Green Bay Packers receiver Chris Hilton, both mentally and physically, as he quickly shifted gears from being released by the Commanders on Sunday to getting ready to play in game for his new team on Thursday.

“I ended up getting released, found out they claimed me (off waivers),” Hilton said after his first practice with team on Tuesday. “So, I was on the way to Dulles Airport, got there, flight was delayed, then there was a misconnect at the next airport. So, I had to Uber to D.C., get on the plane there, got to Chicago. That got delayed till like midnight. I didn’t get on the plane until like 1, landed at 2, went to bed at 3, and was here at 6:45. …

“So, it’s been a long 48 hours for me, but we’re making it.”

Hilton doesn’t have time to catch up on sleep. With one practice under his belt and a crash course into the offense, he will be on the field for Thursday night’s preseason game at the Steelers.

Fortunately for Hilton, he’s got a history with learning playbooks in short order. After a disappointing senior season at LSU, he played in an unprecedented four all-star games

“Really, the whole thing was to give myself the best opportunity,” he said. “I wanted to go through that thing and leave no stone unturned. I didn’t have the college season that I wanted to, so I tried to put myself in the best position possible. And if doing all four was what I had to do, that was what I was going to do.”

That meant a lot of learning and unlearning, which should come in handy as he forgets the Commanders’ playbook and learns the Packers’ playbook.

“Getting to the first one [the American Bowl], I think I came like a day late, so everybody was already ahead. So, I played catch-up there. It was kind of the same thing (with) different terminology, but that’s how I was able to pick it up quick.”

With the Packers, there will be early mornings and late nights to pick up an offense that was installed during the offseason and installed again during the opening week of training camp.

How will he do it so he can play at a high level on Thursday?

“You got to do what you got to do, you know what I’m saying?” he said. “If there’s a will, there’s a way, and I got a will, so I’m going to figure it out.”

The Packers claimed Hilton after starters Matthew Golden and Jayden Reed suffered minor injuries on Family Night. They returned to practice on Tuesday, though. That means Hilton’s spot with the Packers might not last for long unless he gives them a reason to give him an extended look.

On the other hand, none of the young receivers have been able to string together a bunch of productive days at training camp, so, from that perspective, there’s a real chance for Hilton.

“Yeah, most definitely,” he said. “I’m just here to do my job, you know what I’m saying? Catch the ball. That’s the name of the game for me, so that’s what I’m here to do.”

In five seasons at LSU, Hilton finished with only 41 passes for 780 yards and six touchdowns. He ended the 2024 season in explosive fashion with touchdowns of 40 and 45 yards against Oklahoma and a 41-yard touchdown highlighting his four catches for 113 yards in the bowl game against Baylor.

However, he caught just 10 passes for 122 yards in 2025. He went undrafted and signed with the Commanders, who released him upon signing Stefon Diggs.

“I would say my IQ, football intelligence” is the strength to his game. “Obviously, everybody would say my speed. But I think the underrated part of my game would be how smart I am.”

Yeah, about that speed. He ran his 40 in 4.41 seconds before the draft. So, he’s fast. But can he play fast and allow his talent to show following a whirlwind week?

“Like I said, if there’s a will, there’s a way,” he said. “I’m going to figure something out.”

The Packers signed two safeties today, including a longtime workout partner with Xavier McKinney. They will be on the field at Pittsburgh after just one practice.

Afterward, I talked to them about the challenge and, more importantly, the opportunity. ⬇️https://t.co/1fENrA5UZO
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 12, 2026

What happened today at Packers training camp?

A lot, even with a shorter practice.

Here is everything that happned at Practice 11, including the latest on the cornerback battle, defensive domination, lineups, highlights, injuries and more. ⬇️https://t.co/Gyz94hfqKh
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 11, 2026

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY PACKERS NEWSLETTER

Add us as a preferred source on Google