The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Packers’ 9th Training Camp Practice

The Green Bay Packers held their ninth practice of training camp Sunday. The practice was moved inside the Don Hutson Center as storms hit the area. Here’s the good, bad and ugly — compiled from multiple reports — from practice No. 9. THE GOOD WELCOME BACK: It was a big day as the Packers had several players return to practice, or practice for the first time this summer. The list of players included: • Tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) • Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (knee/PUP) • Offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele (knee) • Guard Aaron Banks (knee/rest) • Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle) • Running back Chris Brooks (hamstring/PUP) • Cornerback Kamal Hadden (ankle) SHUFFLING CORNERS: For the first time this summer, the Packers’ starting corners during a portion of the team period were rookie Brandon Cisse and free agent acquisition Benjamin St-Juste. Keisean Nixon, who started all 17 games last season, repped with the No. 1s and the No. 2s. Cisse was with the No. 1 defense throughout, while St-Juste worked with both the No. 1s and No. 2s. Carrington Valentine, a starter last season, is currently out with a hamstring injury. Having Nixon work with the No. 2s — even for just a portion of team drills — certainly was interesting. Nixon started all 17 games at cornerback for the first time in his career last year, but had a remarkably up-and-down season. Nixon earned a 66.4 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 41st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 67.8 ranked 35th and his run-defense grade of 66.6 ranked 40th. Nixon had one interception, broke up 13 passes, and opposing quarterbacks had a 105.2 passer rating when throwing his way. Nixon surrendered 50 receptions in coverage and had 72 tackles (58 solos). The two regular season games against Chicago provided a microcosm of Nixon’s inconsistent season. Nixon made a game-saving interception in the Packers’ 28-21 win over Chicago on Dec. 7. Thirteen days later, Nixon gave up a 46-yard touchdown pass to Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore in overtime as Chicago rallied for a 22-16 win. Nixon had a rough Friday at Green Bay’s Family Night, getting schooled repeatedly by Matthew Golden during 1-on-1 drills. After being demoted to the No. 2s for a short stretch his Sunday might have been even worse. And now, the possibility certainly exists that Cisse and St-Juste could be Green Bay’s starters in Week 1 at Minnesota. MAKING HIS MOVE: The Packers’ top three wideouts — Matthew Golden, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed — are clearly defined. No. 4 has been a question mark all summer. Savion Williams, Green Bay’s third round pick in 2025, is making a move, though. Williams had 15-yard touchdown catch over safety Kitan Oladapo during Friday’s Family Night. On Sunday, Williams caught a 60-yard bomb for a score from No. 3 quarterback Kyle McCord to highlight a huge day. Williams also had a bevy of receptions and had a big gain on an end around. “Savion, his measurables are off the charts in terms of his size, speed, and strength,” Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur said. “And then he's just a young player that's still learning and he's got a long way to go, but I think he's showcased a lot of great traits and that's why we drafted him and that's why we loved him coming out.” Veterans Skyy Moore and Bo Melton are also battling for the No. 4 wideout job. But Williams (6-4, 222) has size and physicality those players don’t possess. Williams remains raw, but has terrific upside. It would be a win for Green Bay if Williams could seize the No. 4 wideout job. LINE DANCING: Zach Bako-Bewele (formerly Zach Tom) is one of the top right tackles in football. Upon his return Sunday, Bako-Bewele immediately took his place with the No. 1 offensive line, while rookie Jager Burton was the left guard and Jacob Monlk was the right guard. That left 2025 second round draft pick Anthony Belton as the odd man out. “I just got to just be bought in, whether it's guard or tackle,” Belton said on Aug. 7. “I’ve just got, to start off, know the assignment and just execute. I’ve got to do my part to kind of really be more of a student in the game and learn from my mistakes. “You know, repetitive mistakes are kind of (a sign that) you’re not getting nowhere. It’s no signs of growth for you going out there messing up on the same thing. So I’ve just got to get to a point where I just got to consistently show up mentally and physically perform.” Belton, who started the final seven games of 2025 at right guard, was the projected starter at that spot. Belton has had a disappointing camp, though, and was moved to right tackle last week. With Bako-Bewele back, Belton was suddenly a man without a home. “Well, I think he's a really talented guy that's played a lot of meaningful snaps for us,” LaFleur said of Belton. “He's still a young, developing player. I think with him, just like I've said many times, it's just, he's certainly capable. It's just got to be consistent, and the better he gets at that, the better the player he's going to be. But I am excited about his future in this league.” FUN NIGHT: Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin was in Canton, Ohio, Saturday for the Hall of Fame induction. Franklin is a former teammate of kicker Adam Vinatieri, who was inducted into the Hall. Vinatieri had one of the more memorable speeches in recent years, one that host Chris Berman called, “a night at the improv.” Among Vinatieri’s targets were Bill Belichick, his coach in New England, and quarterback Peyton Manning, who he played with in Indianapolis. Vinatieri had this to say about Belichick and his 25-year old partner Jordon Hudson. "Unfortunately, Bill couldn't make it today,” Vinatieri said of Belichick, who now coaches at North Carolina. “There's a lot going on at UNC right now. I thought it was because training camp had already started, but in truth, he was judging his girlfriend's cheerleading competition.” Manning wasn’t spared, either. “Peyton, thank you for generously donating your forehead for today's teleprompter,” Vinatieri said. “A gigantic forehead means a big brain, and your football IQ is unmatched, buddy.” THIS AND THAT: Edge Collin Oliver, who’s had a strong camp, broke up a pass for Jaden Nixon. … Jaylin Simpson worked as the second perimeter corner with the No. 2 defense. … Running back MarShawn Lloyd had an impressive blitz pickup on safety Javon Bullard. THE BAD NEW INJURIES: Several players who played in Friday’s Family Night sat out of practice. They included: • WR Matthew Golden (toe) • WR Jayden Reed (ankle) • LB Zaire Franklin (late travel back from Hall of Fame induction) • Marlon Jones (waived/injured) • Edgerrin Cooper (foot) • TE Josh Whyle (neck) FROM THE INFIRMARY: Here’s how the Packers’ injury list looked Sunday. Reserve lists: edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee), tight end Luke Musgrave (neck), long snapper Matt Orzech (calf) and defensive tackle Jordon Reilly (Achilles). Cornerbacks Carrington Valentine (hamstring), Johnathan Baldwin (knee) and Domani Jackson, and running back Josh Jacobs (groin) all missed practice, as well. STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH: Rookie kicker Trey Smack, who made 6-of-7 kicks during Friday’s Family Night, was 2-of-3 while kicking inside the Don Hutson Center Sunday. Smack is now 16-of-23 in camp (69.6%). Smack made kicks from 33 and 43 yards and missed from 48. Green Bay selected Smack in the sixth round of April’s draft, making him the only kicker drafted in 2026. “Just perform,” Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said of what Smack needs to do to win the kicking job. “You know, that's the most thing and that's going to give me faith and trust.” THIS AND THAT: With Franklin and Cooper out, the starting linebackers were Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper. … Safety Marlon Jones was waived/injured. THE UGLY CURSE OF THE TIGHT ENDS: Keeping tight ends healthy has been a challenge for Green Bay. Tucker Kraft is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered on Nov. 2, 2025. Luke Musgrave (neck) hasn't practiced this camp and his future is up in the air. RJ Maryland (hamstring) and Luke Lachey (foot/ankle) were both waived with injury designations last week. Josh Whyle joined the list Sunday with a neck injury of his own. The only good news is Whyle’s injury isn't expected to be long-term. Still, you have to wonder what the Packers did to agitate the tight end Gods?