We’re here to recap the last two days of the Green Bay Packers’ training camp, which included the team wearing full pads for the first time. On Sunday, the team was in shells, as head coach Matt LaFleur stated that the team worked through rules of engagement (he didn’t seem too happy about the pass-rushers swiping at his quarterbacks), and Monday is when the team’s leg pads came on.
This is also your reminder that the Packers’ Family Night practice, the team’s annual scrimmage at Lambeau Field, will
be held on Friday. The Hall of Fame Game will be played on Thursday on NBC. Football games are right around the corner!
Injuries
Most of the news on the injury front has been positive the last two days. Cornerback Kamal Hadden and offensive tackle Brant Banks have been taken off the physically unable to perform list and are back in practice, even though Hadden’s return on Sunday did lead to a new injury: a dislocated pinky finger.
Offensive lineman Jager Burton, who injured his hamstring earlier in camp, is also back out on the field. The team has suffered two new injuries, though: hamstring injuries to both cornerback Carrington Valentine and tight end RJ Maryland. No Packer has suffered a major injury in camp yet, but those pesky hamstrings have certainly been an issue.
The following players still remain on Green Bay’s injury lists (either PUP or NFI):
- RB Chris Brooks (hamstring)
- TE Luke Musgrave (neck)
- EDGE Micah Parsons (ACL)
- DL Javon Hargrave (knee)
- DL Jordon Riley (Achilles)
- LS Matt Orzech (calf)
Offense
One interesting note in camp is that 2025 draft pick John Williams, who missed his rookie season with a back injury, has been playing all three offensive line spots in camp so far. He’s had to bounce all over with the second-team unit, as the team continues to keep Aaron Banks and Zach Bako-Bewele (formerly Tom) out of team drills. Overall, the team has been pretty conservative with returning their players to team periods following an injury.
If you missed it, quarterback Jordan Love stated on Sunday after practice that second-year first-round pick Matthew Golden will be playing the X position, which was previously played by Davante Adams and Romeo Doubs, in the team’s offense moving forward. Just something to pay attention to.
Speaking of Love, it finally happened. It took five practices, but the quarterback finally threw an interception. Safety Xavier McKinney got the better of him when Love tested the All-Pro.
Defense
With Valentine out and Devonte Wyatt still being held out of team periods, along with Javon Hargrave on the PUP list, we aren’t getting too many answers on how the two biggest camp battles are going right now. On paper, the starting roles most up for grabs going into 2026 are the second cornerback position and the third interior defensive lineman for the Packers. Because of injuries, though, it’s tough to get a gauge on Green Bay’s preferred rotation and how much their opinion is changing day-to-day.
One player who got a shoutout from LaFleur earlier this week was rookie fourth-round pick Dani Dennis-Sutton, who general manager Brian Gutekunst stated the team tried to trade up for on Day 2 of the draft. The rookie has been kicking inside a good bit in practice, potentially a role he can hold down in obvious passing situations until Micah Parsons returns to the lineup.
Another player who is turning heads is defensive lineman Anthony Campbell, a 2025 undrafted free agent who had a stint with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Packers in-season last year. The 6’6” defensive lineman has been batting passes down left and right and is up to four PBUs in five practices after Monday. The sixth defensive line spot on the 53-man roster is potentially up for grabs, depending on if there’s an injury or if Nazir Stackhouse does/doesn’t take the next step this preseason.
For what it’s worth, second-year fourth-round pick Barryn Sorrell has consistently been the “starter” opposite of Lukas Van Ness throughout camp, even if the position has been rotated heavily. Rookie second-round pick Brandon Cisse was the starting cornerback today opposite Keisean Nixon with Valentine, who has generally gotten the nod, out with an injury.
Special Teams
The Packers worked receivers Skyy Moore, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden and Will Sheppard (along with running back Jaden Nixon) as punt returners on Monday. Players who have gotten looks as punt gunners have been safety Kitan Oladapo, receiver Bo Melton, cornerback Brandon Cisse, safety Mark Perry, receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, receiver Kaden Prather and receiver Isaiah Neyor. Contributing on punts (or punt returns) is a way to make the 53-man roster (and 47-player unit active on game days).
With the injury to Matt Orzech, the Packers didn’t begin kicking in training camp until Sunday. Rookie draft pick Trey Smack went three of five on Sunday and went five of eight on Monday, including a doink off the upright. 8 of 13 doesn’t look great on paper, but this time last year Brandon McManus was on a heater and looked like he couldn’t miss a kick, so how much can we really take from training camp kicks at this point?
