Packers CB Nate Hobbs has knee surgery, hopes to return for regular season opener

USA Today

2 days ago

With a month to go until the regular season opener, the Green Bay Packers' cornerback room has taken a hit.
Nate Hobbs had surgery on his knee according to Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber, which has been described as a 'minor procedure.'
Hobbs' timetable for return is expected to be around three weeks, which would still give him a week to ramp up for Green Bay's first game of the season, when they face the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
The surgery is believed to be preventative, cleaning up an issue which Hobbs may have been able to play through if necessary.
Still, the Packers and their corner took the more cautious approach to ensure he is healthy for the long haul, rather than risking the knee issue becoming more chronic.
Hobbs missed Green Bay's last two practices, including Family Night, where general manager Brian Gutekunst first gave details on the severity of the injury the newly signed corner is dealing with.
Speaking at the annual open practice at Lambeau Field, Gutekunst said of Hobbs: 'We won't see him tonight, he's gonna be working through some things over the next couple of weeks.'
The injury likely means Hobbs misses all of Green Bay's preseason games, although it is unlikely he would have featured much as a nailed on starter.
The joint practices with the Colts and Seahawks could have been beneficial to be involved in, but it appears Hobbs will be absent for those as well.
Green Bay was able to make a timely transaction Monday which could help cover for Hobbs for the rest of training camp or potentially into the regular season if there are any unforeseen setbacks with his recovery.
Corey Ballentine was re-signed for a second stint with the Packers after being released by the Colts last week, with Green Bay releasing fellow cornerback Gregory Junior in a corresponding move.
Ballentine, 29, was a core special teamer for Green Bay in his first spell, but also provided solid cornerback play in 2023 especially, when he played more extensive snaps on defense.
In the 11 games Ballentine played 15 or more coverage snaps for the Packers between 2023 and 2024, he had an average PFF coverage grade of 61.7, just above an average grade.
Hobbs signed with Green Bay on a four-year, $48 million contract on the first day of free agency back in March, and has made headlines for his aggressive, assertive playstyle so far in camp.
It has sometimes been to a fault, as he has been spoken to by the coaching staff on multiple occasions, first for laying a hit on Dontayvion Wicks in a non-padded practice, then for going low for a tackle on MarShawn Lloyd in a practice where players were told not to go to ground.
He was removed from team drills for a few plays for his second infraction, but Green Bay's coaches have also gushed about the intensity and energy Hobbs has brought to the team.
At Family Night, Gutekunst praised Hobbs for his versatility to play both in the slot and on the perimeter, and said he has: 'All the aggressiveness and physicality we were looking for when we brought him in here.'
The Packers will have to make do without the tone-setting presence of Hobbs for the next few weeks.