Latest news with #Gutekunst
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jordan Love becomes latest Packer racing to be ready for Week 1 after surgery on thumb
The Green Bay Packers are walking a bit of a tightrope right now when it comes to injuries to key starters. After Jordan Love practiced with his left thumb taped on Monday, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed on Tuesday that Love was set for surgery that morning to fix a ligament issue in the thumb. Love suffered the injury on the final snap the starting offense played in Green Bay's preseason opener versus the Jets, a play on which he was sacked. The good news is that Gutekunst confirmed Love is only set to miss around a week of practice, and will be back in plenty of time for the start of the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 7. The Packers face the defending NFC North champion Detroit Lions to open their campaign at Lambeau Field, in what is a potentially division-tilting matchup right off the bat. With that in mind, it is clearly most important that Love is healthy for that game, but Green Bay's starting quarterback missing any time in the ramp up to the start of real football is not ideal either. Love's is the latest in a line of injuries which have cost some of the Packers' most prominent players time during training camp, but are not expected to cause them to miss regular season action. It is an unusual trend which is equal parts concerning and relieving for Green Bay. It began with Nate Hobbs, who had clean up surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee last weekend, in order to prevent the injury from worsening by playing through it during the season. The Packers are hopeful to have their $48 million corner back for Week 1. Near the end of last week, Xavier McKinney suffered a calf injury which is expected to rule him out for much of, if not the remainder of training camp. Gutekunst said on Tuesday the team 'absolutely' believes he will be healthy in time to face Detroit in just under a month. It was already known that Jayden Reed was dealing with a foot issue, but when he was spotted wearing a walking boot during the Jets game on Saturday, there was justifiable concern. However, reports indicate it is just a sprain for Reed, who is day to day. On the positive side, the only Packers players who are essentially confirmed to be missing Week 1 at this point are Christian Watson, which was expected as he recovers from an ACL tear, and rookie offensive lineman John Williams, who would not have played a part in any case. Gutekunst told the media on Tuesday that Watson will 'more than likely' begin the season on the PUP list, but admitted once the mandatory four games are up, the Packers could have a tough time holding him back, as the receiver will be 'chomping at the bit' to get back. The GM reiterated Watson is 'ahead of the curve' in his recovery. Williams, as well as fellow rookie Collin Oliver, have been unable to participate in camp so far due to back and hamstring injuries respectively, but Gutekunst gave more clarity on their situations on Tuesday. He told the Green Bay media: 'With Oliver, hopefully we can get him out there before camp ends. Williams is probably gonna be a little longer than that." While the Packers have dodged some bullets so far on the injury front, the team's preparations for the year ahead will certainly have been disrupted by the practice time lost for several of their more pivotal players. Dontayvion Wicks has been nursing a calf since late July, causing him to miss a good chunk of camp. Israel Abanikanda, who was claimed recently, missed practice on Tuesday, leading the Packers to sign free agent running back Tyrion Davis-Price to help fill out the room. When asked if he felt good about the overall health of the team despite the injuries, LaFleur said with a smile: 'No, I don't. Right now I don't. We're missing a lot of key players that are integral to our success as a football team." He continued: 'It is what it is. It's an opportunity for some other guys, but we've definitely had some injuries strike up at some positions where it's made us pretty thin." Romeo Doubs then appeared to hurt his back in Tuesday's practice after a collision with Evan Williams, but indicated to reporters in the locker room he was okay. The Packers are set for joint practices with both the Colts and Seahawks before playing both teams in their final two preseason matchups but will be somewhat compromised entering those scrimmages and games.
NBC Sports
9 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Brian Gutekunst: Christian Watson ahead of the curve, but likely to start year on PUP
There was talk this offseason that wide receiver Christian Watson could make his return to the Packers lineup around the middle of the season, but it looks like the wideout might get back a little sooner than that. General Manager Brian Gutekunst was asked about Watson's timeline during a press conference on Tuesday and laughed when he said 'you want to throw him out there right now' when you see the receiver running. Gutekunst then pivoted to say that the team wants to remain patient and that means Watson will probably be staying on the physically unable to perform list into the regular season. 'There's kind of a timeline with these ACLs,' Gutekunst said. 'He's ahead of the curve, no doubt about it, but, at the same time, he's got a long career in front of him so we're going to make sure we don't skip any steps along the way. More than likely he'll start the year on PUP.' Watson would have to miss the first four games of the year if he's on the PUP list after the cut to 53 players, but he could be activated at any point after that and that makes a return in the first half a realistic timeline in Green Bay.
USA Today
05-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers CB Nate Hobbs has knee surgery, hopes to return for regular season opener
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.
San Francisco Chronicle
23-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Packers' Elgton Jenkins dealing with back issue while adapting to position switch
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Now that Green Bay has signed right tackle Zach Tom to a lucrative contract extension, the focus on the Packers' offensive line shifts to veteran guard-turned-center Elgton Jenkins. Jenkins was present for the Packers' first training camp workout Wednesday but didn't participate in drills as he recovers from what general manager Brian Gutekunst described as a back issue that has the 29-year-old on the non-football injury list. Jenkins also was present but didn't practice at the Packers' mandatory minicamp last month after skipping the Packers' organized team activities. The Packers plan to move Jenkins from left guard to center as he enters the third season of the four-year, $68 million extension he signed in December 2022. ESPN reported that Jenkins skipped OTAs because of concerns about how his position switch might impact his future earnings. 'Elgton hasn't missed anything mandatory for us,' Gutekunst said. 'He's here and he's working through a back thing. Contractually, listen, there's all kind of guys on our team and throughout the National Football League that would like different circumstances with that, so that's normal. It's just a part of the National Football League, but Elgton's always done right by us. We've always done right by him.' Gutekunst was asked directly if he expects Jenkins to start practicing once he's recovered from his back problem. 'Yeah, absolutely,' Gutekunst replied. The Packers want Jenkins to fill the vacancy at center that was created when Josh Myers, who started 56 games over the past four seasons, signed with the New York Jets. The Packers signed former San Francisco 49ers lineman Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract and plan to start him at left guard, where Jenkins had made 67 starts and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2022. Green Bay's offensive line also figures to include either incumbent starter Rasheed Walker or 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan at left tackle, Sean Rhyan at right guard and Tom at right tackle. Tom signed a four-year, $88 million contract extension earlier this week. 'Obviously, it feels good to know that the team believes in me and knows what I can do in the future,' Tom said. 'It's also a testament to everybody that's been there for me in the past, my coaches, family, teammates, friends. Just everybody. Yeah, I'm excited for sure.' The Packers believe Jenkins' versatility should make him an ideal fit at center. He has started games at every offensive line position other than right guard in the NFL, including four at center. He primarily played center during his college career at Mississippi State. But the Packers acknowledge they'd like to have him working out at center and snapping the ball to Jordan Love as much as possible over the next couple of months so that they've established some cohesiveness by the start of the season. 'Once he gets back from injury, it'll be great to have him back out there because it's one of those things you want to be feeling as comfortable as possible and get as many banked reps in with our relationship and make sure there's no issues with snaps, no balls on the ground, things like that,' Love said. 'So (it will) definitely be nice to get him back out there.' NOTES: Former Denver Broncos head coach and New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was at Packers camp Wednesday to consult with Green Bay's defense, playing the same advisory role that former Jets coach Robert Saleh had in helping out Green Bay's offense last year. Hackett was the Packers' offensive coordinator from 2019-21. … Gutekunst said wide receiver Bo Melton will primarily work at cornerback during training camp, continuing a process that began in minicamp. That transition includes a change in uniform number, from No. 80 to No. 16. … Gutekunst said linebacker Quay Walker is 'probably a week or so away' from practicing after undergoing a 'cleanup' on his ankle in the offseason. … The opening day of training camp also marked the unveiling of the Packers' new locker room. 'It's amazing,' running back Josh Jacobs said. 'It's a lot different, man. It just makes coming to work, even on them harder days, it makes it feel not as hard. You're coming into something where you feel comfortable.' ___
Fox Sports
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Packers' Elgton Jenkins dealing with back issue while adapting to position switch
Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Now that Green Bay has signed right tackle Zach Tom to a lucrative contract extension, the focus on the Packers' offensive line shifts to veteran guard-turned-center Elgton Jenkins. Jenkins was present for the Packers' first training camp workout Wednesday but didn't participate in drills as he recovers from what general manager Brian Gutekunst described as a back issue that has the 29-year-old on the non-football injury list. Jenkins also was present but didn't practice at the Packers' mandatory minicamp last month after skipping the Packers' organized team activities. The Packers plan to move Jenkins from left guard to center as he enters the third season of the four-year, $68 million extension he signed in December 2022. ESPN reported that Jenkins skipped OTAs because of concerns about how his position switch might impact his future earnings. 'Elgton hasn't missed anything mandatory for us,' Gutekunst said. 'He's here and he's working through a back thing. Contractually, listen, there's all kind of guys on our team and throughout the National Football League that would like different circumstances with that, so that's normal. It's just a part of the National Football League, but Elgton's always done right by us. We've always done right by him.' Gutekunst was asked directly if he expects Jenkins to start practicing once he's recovered from his back problem. 'Yeah, absolutely,' Gutekunst replied. The Packers want Jenkins to fill the vacancy at center that was created when Josh Myers, who started 56 games over the past four seasons, signed with the New York Jets. The Packers signed former San Francisco 49ers lineman Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract and plan to start him at left guard, where Jenkins had made 67 starts and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2022. Green Bay's offensive line also figures to include either incumbent starter Rasheed Walker or 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan at left tackle, Sean Rhyan at right guard and Tom at right tackle. Tom signed a four-year, $88 million contract extension earlier this week. 'Obviously, it feels good to know that the team believes in me and knows what I can do in the future,' Tom said. 'It's also a testament to everybody that's been there for me in the past, my coaches, family, teammates, friends. Just everybody. Yeah, I'm excited for sure.' The Packers believe Jenkins' versatility should make him an ideal fit at center. He has started games at every offensive line position other than right guard in the NFL, including four at center. He primarily played center during his college career at Mississippi State. But the Packers acknowledge they'd like to have him working out at center and snapping the ball to Jordan Love as much as possible over the next couple of months so that they've established some cohesiveness by the start of the season. 'Once he gets back from injury, it'll be great to have him back out there because it's one of those things you want to be feeling as comfortable as possible and get as many banked reps in with our relationship and make sure there's no issues with snaps, no balls on the ground, things like that,' Love said. 'So (it will) definitely be nice to get him back out there.' NOTES: Former Denver Broncos head coach and New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was at Packers camp Wednesday to consult with Green Bay's defense, playing the same advisory role that former Jets coach Robert Saleh had in helping out Green Bay's offense last year. Hackett was the Packers' offensive coordinator from 2019-21. … Gutekunst said wide receiver Bo Melton will primarily work at cornerback during training camp, continuing a process that began in minicamp. That transition includes a change in uniform number, from No. 80 to No. 16. … Gutekunst said linebacker Quay Walker is 'probably a week or so away' from practicing after undergoing a 'cleanup' on his ankle in the offseason. … The opening day of training camp also marked the unveiling of the Packers' new locker room. 'It's amazing,' running back Josh Jacobs said. 'It's a lot different, man. It just makes coming to work, even on them harder days, it makes it feel not as hard. You're coming into something where you feel comfortable.' ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
