Packers re-sign three exclusive rights free agents
The Packers re-signed three exclusive rights free agents on Tuesday, according to the NFL's transactions wire.
Wide receiver Bo Melton, punter Daniel Whelan and running back Emanuel Wilson signed their tenders.
Wilson, 25, appeared in all 17 games for the Packers and had 103 rushes for 502 yards and four touchdowns and added 11 receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown.
He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State in 2023, signing with the Broncos. He lasted only a few days before the Broncos cut him.
He joined the Packers and made their roster, appearing in seven games before landing on injured reserve.
Melton, 25, appeared in all 17 games for the Packers last season and totaled eight receptions for 91 yards.
He entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Titans in 2022. Melton was on the Seahawks' practice squad in 2022 before the Packers signed him to their active roster on Dec. 27, 2022.
Melton played five games with one start in 2023, making 16 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown.
Whelan, 26, was the Packers' punter the past two seasons, averaging 46.2 yards on 113 punts with a net of 39.5.
Samson Nacua, brother of Rams star Puka, slapped with suspension after slapping fan at UFL game
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Samson Nacua warms up before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 13, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Joshua Bessex / Associated Press)
Samson Nacua, the older brother of Rams star Puka Nacua, has been slapped with a one-game suspension without pay by the United Football League after video showed the Michigan Panthers receiver slapping a fan at a game.
The UFL announced the punishment on Tuesday, three days after Samson Nacua’s altercation with a spectator who was leaning down from the stands after Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America’s Center in Missouri. Nacua will miss the Panthers' game Sunday against the DC Defenders in Washington, D.C.
The UFL also said that Nacua has agreed to participate in community service events that will be arranged by the league later this season. The league declined to further comment on the matter.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department told The Times that it is investigating the incident.
"We are working to obtain video from The Dome at America's Center that may have captured what led up to the encounter," police spokesperson Mitch McCoy said.
In the video, Nacua can be seen pointing and angrily yelling at a man in the stands seconds before jumping to strike the man in the face with an open hand. As Nacua walks away, teammate Adonis Alexander can be seen pointing at the fan and speaking toward him.
It is not clear what started the incident.
Nacua played four years at Utah then transferred to BYU and played alongside brother Puca for his final college season. He went undrafted and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints but didn't make either team's final roster.
Puka Nacua has become an NFL star in his two seasons with the Rams. In 2023, he set NFL rookie records for total receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) and earned a Pro Bowl berth. Last year, a right knee sprain caused him to miss five games early in the season.
Free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is re-signing with the Seahawks on a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.
Hankins, 33, played all 17 games for Seattle last season, starting eight. He totaled 30 tackles, a sack and an interception.
He returns to the Sehawks for his 13th NFL season after four seasons with the Giants, one with the Colts, 4 1/2 with the Raiders and 1 1/2 with the Cowboys before joining the Seahawks a year ago.
In his career, Hankins has appeared in 169 games with 142 starts. He has recorded 433 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 52 quarterback hits 13 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
He entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Giants in 2013.
