Paul Bretl | 7/28/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers had their first padded practice on Monday. The messaging from Matt LaFleur was for the players to “compete to be your best,” but to “take care of each other” as well.
That has been the messaging from LaFleur since training camp started. Nate Hobbs, however, has flirted with that line a time or two, so much so that on Sunday, LaFleur told reporters that he spoke to Hobbs about it.
On Monday, as Marshawn Lloyd took a carry and made his way towards the left sideline, Hobbs hit him low. In a game setting, the tackle was perfectly fine. But in a training camp practice, it was unnecessary.
Hit like and subscribe to my YouTube Channel ‘The Paul Bretl Show’ for more Packers coverage.
On the next three possessions for the starting defense, Hobbs wasn’t on the field.
“He sat me for a second. Put me in timeout. Let me think about my decisions. And I thought about it real good. Again, it wasn’t an intentional decision like, ‘Oh, I’m going to tackle him.’ It was like, I was behind a blocker, once I popped back in and got my vision on the ball-carrier, he was as close as we are and his shoulder pads go a little down so by nature, I got low, just to protect myself so I wouldn’t look crazy and get run over.”
After Hobbs’ “timeout,” he returned to the starting defensive unit, where he played out the rest of practice. Lloyd did not return, but remained on the practice field.
What to know from Packers’ fifth training camp practice
Injury updates: Elgton Jenkins was activated off the NFI list and went through individual drills with the offense, and did so at center. For the second day, linebacker Quay Walker went through individual drills. As the defense competed against the offense, Walker was on the other side of the field, seeing what the defenders saw, and going through the mental reps. Aaron Banks was also back in the team portion of practice at left guard.
Savion Williams gets his chance with the ones: For the first time during training camp, Williams got his opportunities with the starting offense, rotated in with the many other receivers the Packers have. Up to this point, when on the field, he’s been working with the backups, which he still did on Monday as well.
“I think he’s done a great job,” LaFleur said of Williams. “I think he’s again, he’s another guy that showed a lot, and I think there’s still a lot going on upstairs, so as to be expected. I mean, this is his first opportunity out there with the full team, and so we’re excited about him.”
With the pads on, we got our first actual look at the offensive line play. In pass protection, I thought the first team unit held up well, even when Jeff Hafley sent some pressure. However, in the run game, the defensive front generated really good push and it was tough sledding.
The starting offensive line with Banks back in the mix was Rasheed Walker, followed by Banks, Sean Rhyan, Jordan Morgan, and Zach Tom. Morgan’s reps at left tackle came with the second unit, but most of his snaps overall came at guard, which has been the case throughout camp.
“I’d definitely say athleticism, timing and overall ability to re-direct,” Morgan said about his game. “I think I’m just a natural at tackle.”
I’ve mentioned it recently, but the defense has done a really good job of going after the ball. Today, another forced fumble happened when Evan Williams punched the ball out from behind against Tucker Kraft. Williams said that forced fumbles have been a huge priority for Jeff Hafley this offseason.
Lineup notes: Ty’Ron Hopper got some opportunities with the first team defense, which was a first. As mentioned, almost all of his snaps with the second unit have come as the MIKE linebacker. The team is clearly trying to get him comfortable in that role. Also of note, UDFA Nazir Stackhouse got some reps with the twos. Stackhouse provides a run-stuffing presence in the middle.
“He’s done a nice job,” LaFleur said of Hopper. “I think he’s definitely taken a step in the right direction. Now we’re out of underwear and in full pads, so you gotta do it now. I think you get a better evaluation, a better sense of how these guys are going to perform when you’re actually playing football or you’re thuddin’ up, you’re fitting blocks, you gotta get off blocks, all of that.”
It’s early, a lot can change, but I think John FitzPatrick will have the opportunity to carve out some sort of role this year. If I were building out the tight end depth chart, I’d have him ahead of Ben Sims, and his blocking abilities could be valuable as Tucker Kraft potentially gets utilized differently in the pass game.
No surprise here, but Brandon McManus was again perfect. He is now 21-for-21 in training camp.
“I don’t even think about it,” LaFleur said when McManus is kicking. “It’s great.”
There seems to be a pass rush rep or two each practice from Lukas Van Ness, where he creates push or makes his way into the backfield.
UDFA running back Amar Johnson from South Dakota State has some impressive burst and change-of-direction abilities. The running back room is obviously crowded, but watch for Johnson to make some noise in the preseason. Defensive end Deslin Alexandre–again in a crowded room–has had some nice pass rush reps as well in the early going.
Micah Robinson has been working mostly with the third team defense, but he got matched up with Matthew Golden and did a really good job reading the double-move, staying tight in coverage, and forcing an incompletion.
“Just using my eyes and my feet,” Robinson said of the play. “I was in man coverage. It was a single receiver on the backside so I just got into my back pedal and when he broke down, just had the eye control, he broke down and broke back up field, tried to cut him off, get on the top shoulder and make the play.”
Barryn Sorrell has mostly been with the third defense at end, but since offseason programs, has gotten reps at defensive tackle during obvious passing situations.
“Just across the board, I’m trying to be the best player I can be,” Sorrell said. “So whether that’s in the run game, in the pass game, there’s always things you can improve the little details on. I’ve just been trying to be intentional of knowing those details and working on those details every day.”
Two-minute drills: The scenario for each offense was starting at their own 30-yard line with 1:45 left on the clock and down by two points.
Up first was Malik Willis and the twos. The drive could have ended on the second play with Carrington Valentine jumping the out route to Malik Heath and nearly having another interception. The big play that put the second offense in scoring position was a back shoulder throw to Heath down the left sideline. Heath did a really good job showing late hands and secured the catch. After a few runs, McManus came on and made the go-ahead kick.
Jordan Love and the ones orchestrated a very efficient drive. Of Love’s five pass attempts, four of them went to Jayden Reed, who caught three of them. The offense quickly made their way into field goal range, with McManus knocking it through.
“Me and J-Love was just connecting man,” Reed said at his locker. “It was the 2-minute drill so it was kind of our fast-pitch stuff, just trying to get the ball down the field and me and J-Love connected well on that drive.”