Category: Packers

Packers WR Jayden Reed in Walking Boot, “Day-to-Day” with Foot Injury

Green Bay Packers fans received a scare Saturday night when star wide receiver Jayden Reed was spotted in a walking boot ahead of the team’s preseason opener, a 30-10 loss to the New York Jets at Lambeau Field.

Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed after the game that Reed is dealing with a foot sprain not related to the toe injury he entered training camp with, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. LaFleur called Reed “day-to-day” and expressed optimism that the 24-year-old will be ready for the regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions on September. 7th.

“Hopefully he’ll be back for Week 1,” LaFleur said. “Anytime you see a guy in a boot, that’s a concern.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the injury came from Reed cutting awkwardly off his foot during practice. Reed offered only a brief comment when asked about it.“I just cut wrong off my foot and I’m a little sore,” Reed said. “I don’t want to be wrong about anything, so I ain’t gonna be the one to say it.”

Reed, a 2023 second-round pick out of Michigan State, led the Packers in receiving last season with 55 receptions for 857 yards and six touchdowns. His production was a key factor in Green Bay’s offensive success, making his health crucial as the team prepares for a pivotal NFC North matchup to start the season.

While Reed is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason, the Packers hope the time off will ensure he’s ready to return at full strength when it matters most.

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Ex-NFL RB convicted on Federal Dogfighting charges

Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been convicted on federal charges tied to a large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma, federal prosecutors confirmed.

A jury found Johnson guilty on six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other related counts. The 54-year-old now faces up to five years in prison for each conviction and fines of up to $250,000 per count. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, according to an article written by Yahoo Sports’s Sean Leahy.

“This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We are committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting.”

According to court records, Johnson operated an illegal dogfighting ring under the name “Mal Kant Kennels” out of Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. Prosecutors say he bred “champion” and “grand champion” pit bulls, marketing their bloodlines for fighting purposes.

Johnson was arrested in March 2025 following a months-long investigation. A week after his arrest, he was indicted by a federal grand jury after 190 dogs were seized from his properties in October 2024 under the Animal Welfare Act.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Billy Coyle, argued that his client was simply a breeder of American pit bull terriers. “Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight,” Coyle said following the verdict.

This is not Johnson’s first legal issue tied to dogfighting. In 2004, he pleaded guilty to state charges in Oklahoma after running “Krazyside Kennels.” He received a five-year deferred sentence according to public record.

Johnson played five seasons in the NFL between 1994 and 1999 after being drafted in the third round out of Northern Illinois. He spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants.

The Justice Department emphasized that this conviction is part of a broader crackdown on illegal animal fighting operations across the country.

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Packers CB has surgery, expected back for Week 1

Green Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs underwent surgery over the weekend to repair a partial meniscus tear in his knee and will miss the rest of training camp, sources confirmed Tuesday to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Hobbs is still expected to be available for the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 against the Detroit Lions.

The 26-year-old underwent the procedure early Saturday morning with no complications, according to a source. Another source said Hobbs could have played through the injury, but the risk of aggravating it led to the decision to operate.

Hobbs had not practiced since Thursday. On Friday, the team cited a knee issue but gave no further details.

Green Bay signed Hobbs in March to a four-year, $48 million deal after he spent his first four NFL seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. He immediately stood out in camp for his physical style of play. At one point, head coach Matt LaFleur had to ask him to scale back the intensity during drills.

“The thing you admire most about him is he’s passionate about the game, and he loves to compete,” LaFleur said. “That’s one of the reasons we went out and got him.”

Hobbs is projected to start on the outside opposite Keisean Nixon. Both have experience playing nickel, but the Packers plan to use Javon Bullard inside while Hobbs and Nixon handle perimeter coverage.

The injury history in Green Bay’s secondary factored heavily into the decision to sign Hobbs. Former All-Pro Jaire Alexander, limited to just seven games in each of the last two seasons, was released in June after contract negotiations stalled.

With Hobbs sidelined for the rest of camp, second-year corner Carrington Valentine is expected to receive extended reps with the first-team defense.

Hobbs’ Career Stats:

Year Team Tackles (COMB) Assisted (AST) Sacks INTs INT Yards TDs
2024 Raiders 49 16 0.0 1 35 0
2023 Raiders 86 27 1.0 1 10 0
2022 Raiders 72 15 1.0 0 0 0
2021 Raiders 74 23 1.0 1 9 0
Career LV 281 81 3.0 3 54 0

With 281 total tackles, three interceptions, and three sacks over four NFL seasons, Hobbs brings both production and leadership to the Green Bay defense.

The Packers hope to have their new cornerback at full speed by kickoff against Detroit at Lambeau Field. If he’s unavailable, Valentine is expected to start in his place.

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Packers WR injuries force LaFleur to shorten practice ahead of Family Night

Training camp has hit a familiar snag in Green Bay as one position group is getting decimated by injuries.

Heading into Friday’s eighth camp practice, the Packers are especially thin at wide receiver. With a showcase Family Night looming at Lambeau Field, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the team will scale things back to preserve bodies and energy.

“We better,” LaFleur told Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber when asked if there were enough healthy receivers to even practice.

LaFleur Pulls Back the Throttle

LaFleur confirmed Friday’s practice would be shorter than usual—just three team periods, no pads, and roughly 80 minutes in total.

“We only have three team periods, so it’s not going to be a long one,” he said. “Some of it will be down in the red area… We have enough tight ends and backs and other positions to make it work.”

Receiver Depth Is Tested

While Green Bay came into camp with 11 receivers—by design, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst—that number is quickly shrinking.

  • Christian Watson remains on the PUP list.

  • Dontayvion Wicks returned from a calf injury but didn’t finish practice.

  • Jayden Reed exited Thursday with a foot issue that LaFleur said is “nothing long-term.”

  • Savion Williams, the rookie third-rounder recovering from a concussion, was limited to individual drills.

  • Sam Brown left late during Thursday’s session and may be dealing with an undisclosed injury.

  • Malik Heath appeared to fight through a leg issue but stayed on the field.

With key names sidelined, the reps have shifted heavily toward Romeo Doubs, first-rounder Matthew Golden, and Heath. Two-tight-end looks with Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave became more frequent, helping balance the workload.

Next Man Up

Thursday saw strong performances from depth receivers including Julian Hicks and Cornelius Johnson, both of whom were on the practice squad last season. Undrafted rookie Will Sheppard, signed just before camp, also continued to flash.

“All those guys have had moments where they have played and made plays,” LaFleur said. “They’ll get a ton of reps. Once we get into these preseason games, these guys are going to get a lot of time.”

Sam Brown’s Steady Rise

Despite his recent exit, Brown has been a standout in camp. The former Miami and Houston receiver knows how to compete in stacked WR rooms.

“You just got to work for it,” he said earlier in the week. “That’s pretty much what I’ve been doing, just trying to be consistent every day.”

Waiting on Savion Williams

It’s been a tough start for the rookie from TCU. After recovering from offseason labrum surgery, Williams is still limited to walkthroughs and individual drills.

“We’ve got to get him out there,” LaFleur said. “It’s hard to get rolling when you’re not available… but he’s demonstrated that he knows what’s going on.”

Looking Ahead to Family Night

With Lambeau Field set to host one of the Packers’ biggest fan events on Saturday, expect reps to be tightly managed. While the WR group remains a concern, LaFleur and staff are finding ways to adapt—and Friday’s scaled-down session is part of that plan.

Even with bodies down, Green Bay’s camp remains competitive—and for the young wideouts, opportunity knocks.

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Packers Lock in Zach Tom with record OL signing bonus

The Green Bay Packers are securing the future of their offensive line by locking in a critical piece of their protection unit.

According to NFL Network, the Packers have agreed to a four-year, $88 million contract extension with starting right tackle Zach Tom. The deal reportedly includes a maximum value of $92 million and a $30.2 million signing bonus—the largest ever awarded to an NFL offensive lineman.

Tom, 26, is entering his fourth NFL season after being drafted by Green Bay in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Wake Forest. After appearing in nine games and making five starts as a rookie in 2022, Tom claimed the starting right tackle job in 2023 and has anchored that spot ever since.

Despite not yet earning a Pro Bowl nod, Tom has quietly become one of the Packers’ most reliable and versatile linemen. His durability and performance over the past two seasons have made him a top priority for the franchise as it continues to build around quarterback Jordan Love.

This new extension is a significant raise over the rookie deal Tom initially signed, which totaled just $4.16 million across four years. The massive signing bonus and guaranteed commitment now reflect Green Bay’s confidence in Tom as a long-term solution on the offensive line.

Love, also 26, is currently playing under a four-year, $220 million contract that runs through the 2028 season. Since taking over for Aaron Rodgers, he has led the Packers to consecutive playoff appearances, including a 2023 Divisional Round run. However, the 2024 campaign ended in disappointment, with Green Bay falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round.

With their quarterback and now their right tackle under contract for the foreseeable future, the Packers are positioned to push deeper into the postseason. Locking in Tom ensures continuity and protection as Green Bay aims to capitalize on Love’s prime years and contend for a Super Bowl.

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