Green Bay Packers News

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden is making more noise early in training camp during Friday's practice, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. Golden skied to catch a pass from quarterback Jordan Love in the middle of the field for an 18-yard gain, which Wood says was the "best catch of camp so far." It didn't take long for Golden to top that with a 20-yard fade down the right sideline from Love. Cornerback Keisean Nixon had great leverage on the sideline, but Golden shielded him with his back and caught the ball over his shoulder in the same motion. It displayed "tremendous body control" and immediately became the new best catch of camp. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks no longer in town, the 22-year-old former 23rd overall pick out of the University of Texas has clear Year 2 breakout potential in the Packers' offense as a locked-in starter in three-wide sets next to Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Golden only had 29 receptions for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season contests, but he became the team's most consistent wideout late in the year, and he found the end zone for the first time in his career in the playoffs. His fantasy ADP figures to continue rising this summer as one of the more intriguing young pass-catchers in the league.

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) has been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list and will practice on Friday, head coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Kraft won't immediately join 11-on-11 team drills, but he'll do other stuff in training camp as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL last year. It's big news for one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. The 25-year-old from South Dakota State looked like one of the best at his position, if not the best, in eight games in 2025 before his season-ending knee injury, catching 32 of 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns for the Packers. Despite coming off a serious knee injury, Kraft's price in upcoming fantasy drafts isn't going to be discounted, with everyone fully expecting the breakout to come in 2026 if he can stay healthy all year. Although nothing is official yet, the former third-rounder should be ready to roll for Week 1 of the regular season in early September, barring a setback with his knee in camp.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed is healthy for the start of training camp after a foot fracture and broken collarbone limited him to seven games in 2025, according to USA Today's Packers Wire. Reed caught 19 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown last season after leading Green Bay in receiving yards in each of his first two campaigns. The Packers signed the 26-year-old to a reported three-year, $50.25 million extension in April, reinforcing his place alongside Christian Watson and Matthew Golden at the top of the receiver room. Green Bay traded Dontayvion Wicks to Philadelphia and allowed Romeo Doubs to leave in free agency, creating a more streamlined depth chart. Reed's healthy start gives him an opportunity to rebuild his timing with Jordan Love after an injury-disrupted season. His previous production creates a credible rebound case, although Watson and Golden could keep targets distributed across Green Bay's passing attack.

Green Bay Packers second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden is flashing big-play upside early in training camp, and he had another 20-plus-yard catch in practice on Thursday, per Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. Golden, who was the 23rd overall pick last year from the University of Texas, failed to stand out in his rookie campaign in the team's crowded WR picture, ultimately finishing with 29 receptions on 44 targets for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (five starts). But with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks no longer on the team, the 22-year-old is primed for a much larger role in the Packers' passing attack in 2026. Golden was the team's most productive pass-catcher late last year as well, so fantasy managers targeting him are banking on a Year 2 breakout. He caught four passes for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown in the playoff loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears. Given his current ADP, Golden is undervalued and profiles as an excellent value pick later in fantasy drafts in 2026.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst isn't officially closing the door on All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp, but he said it's "unlikely" that it will happen, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports Network. The Packers are planning to err on the patient side with their investment in Parsons. If the 27-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro remains on the PUP list when Week 1 of the regular season rolls around, he'd be required to miss at least the first four weeks. Green Bay sent multiple first-rounders to the Dallas Cowboys and defensive tackle Kenny Clark for Parsons before the start of last season, and he was as advertised through 14 games for the Packers before suffering a season-ending torn ACL late in December against the Denver Broncos. He had 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 27 QB hits, and Parsons has 65 total sacks in his five NFL seasons. Even if the former 12th overall pick by Dallas misses the beginning of the 2026 season, he'll be stash-worthy in all IDP fantasy leagues.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that tight end Luke Musgrave (neck) is dealing with a neck injury, and the team is proceeding cautiously while trying to determine if it's a long-term injury, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Packers tend to be extra cautious with neck injuries, meaning it's unlikely that the 25-year-old will come off the Physically Unable to Perform list during training camp anytime soon. Fellow TE Tucker Kraft (knee) is also on the PUP list to start camp after tearing his ACL in Week 9 of last year, but all indications are that he should be ready to practice sooner rather than later. Musgrave failed to take advantage of Kraft's knee injury in 2025, catching 24 of his 31 targets for 252 yards and zero touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts), and the former second-rounder in 2023 from Oregon State has found the end zone just once in his three NFL seasons. Even if Musgrave is ready for the 2026 regular-season opener in early September, he'll be off the fantasy radar in all redraft formats as long as Kraft is active as well.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that running back MarShawn Lloyd doesn't necessarily have a rep count in training camp, but learning from the past and Lloyd's lengthy injury history, the plan is to "gradually" ramp him up for the 2026 season, according to USA Today Sports Network's Ryan Wood. Lloyd has looked very explosive early on this summer, but the Packers are going to make sure not to overwork a player who has appeared in just one game since being drafted in the third round in 2024 out of USC due to injuries. With Emanuel Wilson now in Seattle and with Chris Brooks unavailable for the start of camp, Lloyd has a prime opportunity to cement himself as the Packers' No. 2 back behind starter Josh Jacobs going into the 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old's speed and athleticism should make him the favorite for backup duties in his third NFL season if he can just stay healthy for once, and his physical attributes still make him an intriguing handcuff pick for those who take the plunge on Jacobs, who is still facing legal issues this offseason.

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) said he will "probably come off the PUP here very soon," according to Ryan Wood of the USA Today Sports Network. The Packers placed Kraft on the Physically Unable to Perform list to open training camp as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 9 of last season. General manager Brian Gutekunst said on Wednesday that Week 1 of the 2026 regular season is "very much a possibility" for Kraft, especially if he rejoins the team at practice soon. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 from South Dakota State was one of the top players at his position before his season-ending knee injury in 2025, and he's poised for a breakout campaign in 2026 once he's back to full speed. Kraft had 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns on 44 targets through only eight games last year. Despite coming off a serious knee injury, RotoBaller has Kraft ranked as its No. 5 fantasy TE as he heads into Year 4. The Packers are going to be cautious with Kraft once he returns to the field, and they could also make him the league's highest-paid tight end before the start of the regular season.

The Green Bay Packers waived kicker Lucas Havrisik on Tuesday, a source told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In a corresponding move, the Packers added kicker Lenny Krieg to their 90-man roster. It was believed that the 26-year-old Havrisik might keep the placekicker seat warm until rookie sixth-rounder Trey Smack was ready to take over. Kreig will now compete with Smack in training camp and the preseason. Havrisik made all four of his field-goal attempts and seven of his nine extra-point tries in just three regular-season games with the Packers last year in his second NFL season. In his rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams, he went 15-for-20 on field goals (2-for-3 from 50-plus yards) and 19-for-22 on extra points in nine games played. Fantasy managers will want to avoid Green Bay's kicking situation to begin the 2026 season.

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman said on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that tight end Tucker Kraft (knee), who is starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, said he expects to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this fall against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Kraft suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his knee in Week 9 in 2025, and at the time, there was a case to be made that he was a top two or three TE. Schneidman adds that he wouldn't be surprised if Kraft becomes the highest-paid tight end in the league before the start of the 2026 season. While starting camp on the PUP list isn't ideal, the Packers can activate the 25-year-old at any time, and head coach Matt LaFleur said back in May that the hope is to get Kraft back for the early portion of training camp. Fantasy managers hoping to get Kraft at a discount in this year's draft after his knee injury should think again. The former third-rounder from South Dakota State was well on his way to a breakout in 2025, and the momentum hasn't slowed for that breakout to come in 2026 now that he should be a full-go for Week 1.

The investigation into Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is "still open," the Brown County District Attorney's Office told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Jacobs was arrested in Wisconsin and jailed in late May on five charges related to domestic abuse. He was released from jail the following day because there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges at the time, and they had reason to believe there may be additional evidence that would impact what/if criminal charges were appropriate. The 28-year-old practiced all offseason with the Packers, and there's no telling when this legal situation will wrap up. As things currently stand, Jacobs looks likely to be Green Bay's starting RB in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, but that could change if evidence surfaces that could reopen Jacobs' case as a criminal investigation. For fantasy purposes, Jacobs remains a midrange RB2 target for managers with three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt in seven NFL campaigns and a whopping 28 rushing touchdowns in his two seasons with the Packers.

The Green Bay Packers placed running back Chris Brooks (undisclosed) on the Non-Football Injury list on Monday for the start of training camp, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. It's a bad start for Brooks this summer as he looks to compete for a backup role with MarShawn Lloyd behind starter Josh Jacobs, but he can be activated from the NFI list at any time during camp. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of BYU has seen just 82 rushing attempts in his three years in Green Bay for 395 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and one touchdown in 41 games played (zero starts), adding 24 receptions for 160 yards as a pass-catcher. If healthy, Lloyd probably has the leg up for the RB2 role in Green Bay behind Jacobs, but Lloyd has already had a pretty lengthy injury history in his short time in the NFL. Barring another injury to Lloyd before the start of the 2026 season, fantasy managers in all single-year formats can continue to ignore Brooks.

Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee) is likely to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp on Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The Packers will hold their first camp practice on Wednesday, but Parsons expectedly won't be on the field with them. Parsons suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee in late December of last year against the Denver Broncos. Given the timing of his injury late last year, the expectation is that Parsons won't make his 2026 season debut before October. The Packers' defense wasn't the same to close out last season after Parsons injured his knee, so they'll be more vulnerable again early in 2026 if he's not ready to return for the season opener in early September. The 27-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year is a game-changer on defense when he's healthy, having recorded at least 12 sacks in all five of his NFL seasons. Even though Parsons isn't expected to be ready for Week 1, he'll be in play to be stashed in IDP fantasy formats.

The Green Bay Packers placed tight ends Tucker Kraft (knee) and Luke Musgrave (undisclosed) on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Kraft will open up the summer on the PUP list after suffering a torn ACL in his knee in Week 9 of last year, but all expectations are that he will be a full-go for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The 25-year-old former third-rounder (78th overall) in the 2023 NFL draft from South Dakota State was among the best TEs in the league last year (his third in the league) before his season-ending knee injury, catching 32 of his 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight starts. The year prior, Kraft had a 50-707-7 line in 17 regular-season games for Green Bay. Despite Kraft returning from a major knee injury, RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 5 fantasy TE, behind only Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Colston Loveland, and Tyler Warren. With receivers Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks no longer in town, Kraft has a better path to more volume in the passing game in 2026.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has not come close to matching his fantasy QB5 finish from 2023, but advanced metrics still point to him as one of the league's most efficient players at the position. His EPA/play trailed only Drake Maye in 2025, and an unfamiliar conglomeration of familiar faces could lead to sustained success in 2026. The Packers return a top pass-catching trio of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft, but that grouping did not take a single snap together in 2025, with each missing at least six games due to injury. With Kraft's availability the biggest lingering question for the start of the year as he continues to recover from a season-ending ACL tear, there is still an expectation that Love should have his full complement of pass-catchers early in the season. With running back Josh Jacobs also coming into the year healthy after wearing down late in 2025, the Packers offense could rank among the highest-scoring in 2026, with Love looking like an obvious benefactor. At RotoBaller's QB16, the 27-year-old veteran represents tremendous potential value heading into his fourth season as a starter.

As a first-round rookie in 2025, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden was never able to build any consistency, six times being held beneath 10 receiving yards in a game, but his performance in a wild-card playoff loss to the Bears provided a glimpse of bigger things to come in Year 2. The Packers traded away Dontayvion Wicks and allowed Romeo Doubs to depart in free agency, so when the team kicks off its first practice of training camp on Wednesday, Golden will be penciled in to the starting outside spot opposite Christian Watson. Jayden Reed's usual role out of the slot could expand in 2026 out of necessity, but Golden will have every opportunity to prove he belongs on the field in two-receiver sets, and his breakout candidacy is gaining steam. After dealing with a nagging ankle injury throughout his rookie season, better health and increased opportunity could lead to notable growth in year two, making Golden a potential bargain at RotoBaller's WR50.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Savion Williams is a name that quarterback Jordan Love brought up as a player he expects to take a Year 2 jump, according to Jacob Westendorf of Sports Illustrated. Williams was used mostly for manufactured touches and in a gadget-type role in head coach Matt LaFleur's offense in 2025 after he was selected in the third round of the NFL draft out of TCU. The 24-year-old caught all 10 of his targets for 78 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball 11 times for 37 yards in 12 regular-season games last year as a rookie. Westendorf reminds us that the Packers are one injury away from having to rely on Williams as a primary contributor. Going into training camp this summer, he should be viewed as the WR4 behind Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and fellow second-year wideout Matthew Golden. Williams will have a bigger role in 2026 with both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks now out of town. LaFleur likes getting the ball into Williams' hands, so he'll be a depth receiver to watch in Green Bay this summer and in the preseason.

The Green Bay Packers cut veteran kicker Brandon McManus shortly after they took Trey Smack in the sixth round in April out of the University of Florida because they were pretty convinced that the rookie would be their opening-day kicker, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. However, Smack had some rough days during the offseason program and missed multiple kicks, so the expectation is that there will be a head-to-head competition this summer in training camp between Smack and Lucas Havrisik. The 26-year-old Havrisik is a former undrafted free agent out of the University of Arizona who has made 19 of his 24 field-goal attempts (79.2%) and 26 of his 31 extra-point tries in 12 games in just two NFL seasons with the Packers and Los Angeles Rams. If he wins the starting placekicker job to begin the 2026 regular season this fall, it will only be to keep the seat warm for Smack.

A series of injuries has limited Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd to only six career carries since being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the team is hopeful that he can make an impact yet. Lloyd missed the entirety of the 2025 season with a recurring hamstring injury, and recent testing has revealed the ailment could be tied to an ACL tear suffered in college. With a plan in place to help him navigate the offseason program, the 25-year-old will enter training camp healthy and with the potential to emerge as Josh Jacobs' primary backup. With Jacobs' availability still somewhat in question following a domestic violence situation that has yet to result in charges, that role could be a crucial one for both the Packers and fantasy managers alike. Currently RotoBaller's RB63, Lloyd's spot in the rankings would surge if he's suddenly thrust into a larger role, but even as a change-of-pace back, he has the ability to work his way into weekly flex conversations should the Packers opt to lighten the load on their 28-year-old starter.

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) could begin on the Physically Unable to Perform list to open training camp in less than 10 days, according to Jason Wilde of Channel 3000. "The guess here is that he won't set foot on Ray Nitschke Field without a new deal in place," writes Wilde. Kraft is entering the final year of his four-year, $5.54 million rookie contract, and the Packers also hope to get an extension done with him early in camp, according to Jordan Schultz. He's slated to earn a $3.624 million base salary in 2026, which makes him the 36th-highest-paid TE in the league. Kraft will most likely be eased into camp, but all expectations are that he will be a full-go for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Before tearing the ACL in his right knee on Nov. 2 against the Carolina Panthers in 2025, Kraft was arguably the best TE in the league, catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns on 44 targets in eight games. We'll be tracking Kraft's progress closely this summer, and if fully healthy, he will have a high ceiling as a high-end TE1 in fantasy.