Malik

Heath

Heath handled his typical, small workload this week but was fortunate enough to earn one of them in the green zone. His score from three yards out iced the Packers’ 38-10 win over the 49ers. He is a WR6 against the Dolphins in Week 13.

Heath appeared to be the Packers’ No. 3 receiver with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs out against the Rams. Heath ran a route on 72 percent of Green Bay’s drop backs and played well ahead of Bo Melton. Heath could have some fantasy interest in Week 6 if Watson and Doubs remain sidelined.

Reed came into the game listed as questionable with a rib injury, which could have affected his snap rate against the Chiefs. Both Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath worked into the offense, which could become more commonplace considering Christian Watson departed in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be another hamstring injury, the last of which held him out of action for the first three weeks of the 2023 season.

Heath got the start with Romeo Doubs out with a hamstring injury and made good with the opportunity, converting multiple third-downs and generating routine separation over the middle of the field. The undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss is fighting for a depth role behind presumed starters Christian Watson, Doubs, and fellow rookie Jayden Reed. The Packers are both young and lack depth at the primary pass-catching positions so Heath did well to survive Tuesday roster cuts with the showing.

Heath (6'3/220) started six of MSU’s 10 games during the pandemic shortened season of 2020, catching 37-of-58 passes for 307 yards, 8.3 YPC and three touchdowns in Mike Leach’s maiden season with the Bulldogs. This year started off with promise, as Heath received 40 targets in the first six games before getting dinged up against Kentucky and taking a backseat in the offense, with him seeing just 13 targets over the final five contests. The senior wideout finished the season by securing 35-of-53 passes for 442 yards, 12.6 YPC and five touchdowns, while earning a rather pedestrian 58.2 PFF receiving grade. Heath will try to earn Braylon Sanders’ vacated starting outside wide receiver role opposite Jonathan Mingo in Lane Kiffin’s high octane offensive attack.

Little is currently known about the accident and the status of Heath (6'3/220). He had just taken part in senior day festivities for the Bulldogs before the Egg Bowl and his status moving forward will be updated as we know more about the accident. On the season, Heath has 34 receptions for 442 yards and five touchdowns.

Heath (6'3/220) did not play in Saturday’s win over Louisiana Tech, with the reason for his absence being unknown. On Monday, HC Mike Leach said that the junior wide receiver was attending to a personal issue, and he didn’t say anything beyond that. It’s worth noting that Heath and DE De’Monte Russell, who also didn’t play Saturday, were involved in the ugly brawl that concluded the Bulldogs’ bowl win over Tulsa.

Why Heath (6'3/220) isn’t taking part in pregame warmups is unknown, but this could be for disciplinary reasons. While Mississippi State alluded to there being “in-house” discipline in the aftermath of the team’s wild brawl with Tulsa following the bowl game, nothing has been made official. If Heath is forced to sit for that reason, the Bulldogs will be without a player who posted a 37-307-3 receiving line in his first season with the team.

Heath (6'4/200) was freshman QB Will Rogers’ preferred target Saturday afternoon, as he led the Bulldogs in both receptions and targets (12). Unfortunately for the junior he was unable to reach the end zone, as senior WR Osirus Mitchell (4-32-1) was responsible for Mississippi State’s lone touchdown in the passing game. For the season Heath has now caught 23 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, numbers he’ll look to improve next week when the Bulldogs host Auburn.

Heath (6'4/200) was arrested on a menagerie of charges (including speeding and DUI) in August, but new HC Mike Leach -- softening in his old age? -- handled discipline in-house and it looks like the junior wideout has done well to get back on track with the team over the last few weeks.