RADIO
Chris Brooks Returns to an Unsettled Packers Backup Battle
Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks (hamstring) returned to practice Sunday after missing the first week and a half of training camp. He opened camp on the non-football injury list after straining his hamstring during the summer break, an awkward absence with the backup job behind Josh Jacobs still unsettled. Brooks handled only 27 carries for 106 yards last season, adding 13 catches for 91 yards, but Green Bay values him for more than touches. At 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, he has earned praise for his pass protection and special-teams work. The timing of his return matters because Jacobs has been out with a groin injury, while MarShawn Lloyd took most of the first-team reps in Jacobs' absence on August 6. Pierre Strong Jr. also mixed in. Brooks is healthy enough to rejoin the competition now, but he has catching up to do after missing the opening stretch of camp. RotoBaller ranks him 248th overall in half-PPR. For now, Brooks is more of an insurance-back watch than a late-round priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordan Love Better Drafted as an Upside QB2
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been a better real-life quarterback than fantasy starter over the past two seasons. He completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 15 games last year, adding 199 rushing yards without a score. That left him QB21 on a per-game basis after a QB16 finish in 2024, well below the QB7 pace he posted in 2023. The supporting cast is in better shape now. Tucker Kraft is back on the field after last year's torn ACL, and Matthew Golden has been one of Green Bay's biggest playmakers in camp, including a 57-yard touchdown from Love on Family Night. Love still doesn't add enough rushing production to cover for quieter passing weeks, so another QB1 season will require more through the air. His current ADP is 128.0, while RotoBaller ranks him QB18. That's a reasonable spot to take him as a QB2 with upside rather than counting on a full return to his 2023 fantasy level.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jayden Reed Managing Ankle Injury
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (ankle) has picked up an ankle injury during camp, though head coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that it is not considered a long-term concern, according to Matt Schneidman. Reed is coming off a frustrating 2025 season in which foot and shoulder injuries limited him to seven regular-season games. He finished with 19 catches for 207 yards and one touchdown after topping 790 receiving yards in each of his first two NFL seasons. Reed eventually worked his way back late last year and remains an important piece of Green Bay's passing game, making another stretch of missed practice time something the Packers would rather avoid. No timetable has been given for his return, so his participation over the coming days will be the next thing to watch.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Matthew Golden's Toe Injury Not a Long-Term Concern
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (toe) is dealing with an injury, but head coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that it is not considered a long-term concern, according to Matt Schneidman. No timetable has been given for Golden's return. The second-year receiver is expected to take on more responsibility after catching 29 passes for 361 yards across 14 games as a rookie. He finished the year with his best performance, posting four catches for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Green Bay's playoff loss to Chicago. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are both gone, opening more opportunities for Golden alongside Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. The toe issue is worth watching during camp, particularly with Golden preparing for a much larger role in the Packers' passing game.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Tucker Kraft Continues Progressing in ACL Rehab
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) was back at practice Sunday as he continues ramping up from last year's torn ACL, according to Rob Demovsky. Kraft did not participate in Family Night, which was consistent with how Green Bay handled players who had not yet advanced to 11-on-11 work. The 25-year-old was activated from the PUP list on July 31 and has gradually increased his workload through individual drills and walkthrough periods. Kraft was in the middle of a breakout season before getting hurt, catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. He led the Packers in all three categories at the time of the injury. Getting Kraft back into regular team drills will be the next important step as Green Bay continues preparing him for the start of the regular season.
Source: Rob Demovsky
Source: Rob Demovsky
Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden With Rehab Group on Sunday
Green Bay Packers wide receivers Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden are not practicing in training camp on Sunday and are instead with the rehab group on the side, according to Andy Herman. It's unclear at this time what Reed and Golden are dealing with, but we'll have more information on their statuses once we know more. For now, it's something to keep an eye on, but there are no indications that they are dealing with anything significant. Along with Christian Watson, Reed and Golden are in line to start in three-receiver sets in the Packers' offense in 2026. Reed has been injury-prone early in his NFL career, and he dealt with a fractured foot and broken collarbone last year, playing in just seven regular-season games. The 26-year-old has a nose for the end zone, though, and should have career-best volume in 2026 if he can stay healthy, making him a boom/bust WR3/flex target in fantasy. Golden, a first-rounder last year, was quiet for most of his rookie campaign before turning it on late. The 23-year-old has a clear path to a Year 2 breakout, especially if Watson and Reed continue to struggle with injuries.
Source: Andy Herman
Source: Andy Herman
Tucker Kraft is Absent from Friday's Practice
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) was absent from Friday's practice session, according to Matt Schneidman. Kraft is currently working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 9 of last season. Kraft has been practicing for the last week, so his absence could just be for rest purposes. There is no word on Kraft suffering any kind of setback, so the assumption is that the Packers are just giving him the night off. The Packers are hopeful that Kraft will be ready to play for Week 1 of the regular season. He's coming off a significant injury, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much out of Kraft right away.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Josh Jacobs Misses Another Practice on Friday
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) was absent from Friday's practice session, according to Matt Schneidman. This is the second straight day that Jacobs has missed practice due to a groin injury. It's early in camp, so it's not surprising to see the Packers playing it safe with Jacobs. This injury is not viewed as a long-term issue, so fantasy managers shouldn't have anything to worry about right now. MarShawn Lloyd is getting first-team reps without Jacobs available. He could be an interesting handcuff option for fantasy managers if Jacobs does miss any time. For now, Jacobs should be considered day-to-day and should be back at practice in a few days.
Source: Matt Schneidman
Source: Matt Schneidman
Josh Jacobs Dealing With Groin Injury
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) missed training camp practice on Thursday due to a groin injury, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. However, Jacobs' injury is not believed to be anything overly concerning, so the starting RB might end up missing just a few days as a precaution. The Packers have every reason to play it safe with the 28-year-old in camp, especially since their backfield is a little thinner this year with Emanuel Wilson now in Seattle. Chris Brooks (hamstring) is also out with an injury, leaving oft-injured back MarShawn Lloyd to get more reps. Assuming full health from Jacobs going into the start of the 2026 season, the three-time Pro Bowler should be viewed as an RB2 in fantasy instead of a surefire RB1 as he heads into his eighth campaign (third with Green Bay). His grinding running style isn't a great match for a player nearing the dreaded 30-year-mark for RBs, and he averaged only 4.0 yards per carry while battling through a knee injury late last year to finish with 929 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 234 carries in 15 regular-season starts. You can't argue with Jacobs' 28 rushing TDs the last two seasons, but he's also not as explosive as the top options at his position.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Packers Encouraged by What They've Seen From MarShawn Lloyd
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that the team continues to be cautious with running back MarShawn Lloyd because of his injury history, but LaFleur is encouraged by what a healthy Lloyd has shown so far in training camp. "He's flashed the ability. Certainly, he's an explosive dude who can make some big, explosive plays," LaFleur said. The Packers are gradually ramping up the 25-year-old former third-rounder from USC, who has played in just one game with Green Bay since being drafted in 2024. With Chris Brooks (undisclosed) starting training camp on the Non-Football Injury list and Emanuel Wilson out of town, Lloyd has a clear path to be the unquestioned RB2 behind starter Josh Jacobs in 2026 as long as he can finally stay healthy. There's plenty of upside still for Lloyd, who is quick and big, but his durability issues will likely put him off the fantasy radar in most 12-team leagues. If anything were to happen to Jacobs, Lloyd would become a must-roster RB in all leagues.
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Christian Watson No Longer Needs a Full Breakout to Pay Off
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson does not need to become a target hog to beat his current price. He returned from ACL surgery in Week 8 last season and caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games, averaging 17.5 yards per reception. Green Bay then cleared out part of the receiver room, letting Romeo Doubs leave and trading Dontayvion Wicks, while signing Watson to another long-term extension. That gives him a clearer path to steady snaps alongside Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden. The risk has not disappeared. Watson has played 48 of a possible 68 regular-season games, and his downfield role has never produced more than 66 targets in a season. Tucker Kraft is also working toward a full Week 1 return, so Watson will still have competition near the goal line. RotoBaller ranks him WR29 in PPR, the same spot as his recently reported redraft ADP. That feels fair rather than expensive. Watson will have quiet weeks, but his touchdown upside and improved role give him a realistic chance to finish as a WR2. He is a worthwhile WR3 target for managers comfortable taking on the injury risk.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Micah Parsons Says it's "Very Realistic" to Play in Week 6
Green Bay Packers All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) said it's "very realistic" to play in Week 6 against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. "Is it possible? Yes, so I wouldn't say it's not possible. At the same time, in the next 10, 12 weeks from now, we've got to make it possible by putting the work in," Parsons said. The 27-year-old is unlikely to come off the Physically Unable to Perform list for the start of the 2026 regular season after tearing his ACL against the Denver Broncos in late December of last year, which means he will be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of his second season with the Packers. The former 12th overall pick by the Cowboys in 2021 from Penn State continued to be a difference-maker on defense in 2025 in his first year with the Packers, recording 41 tackles (19 solo), 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 14 games played. Missing at least the first four games will surely hurt Parsons' fantasy appeal in IDP formats in 2026, but he'll still be worth stashing in those leagues as an elite sack artist.
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Matthew Golden to Operate as X Receiver in 2026
In an interview with NFL Network's Stacey Dales, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said he's looking forward to seeing wide receiver Matthew Golden as the "X receiver" in 2026. Love said, "[Golden] is locked in over there now at X, so I'm expecting big things. He's had a great training camp so far." With Romeo Doubs now in New England, Golden appears set to take over Doubs' role in the offense, while Christian Watson handles the Z and Jayden Reed will continue to operate as the slot receiver. The 2025 first-round pick had 361 yards on 29 receptions in 14 games last season, while playing just 53% of the snaps. With a larger workload coming for the former Texas Longhorn receiver, fantasy managers should be monitoring Golden in the late rounds of drafts.
Source: NFL Network
Source: NFL Network
Tucker Kraft Could Participate in Joint Practice Later This Month
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that it's realistic for tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) to take part in the team's joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals later in the month, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. LaFleur said that Kraft will have to hit all of his benchmarks to be cleared to do so. The 25-year-old started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 9 of last year, but the Packers have already activated him, and he took part in his first practice on Friday. Barring a setback as he continues to ramp up, Kraft is trending toward being a full-go for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September, and despite his serious knee injury from 2025, he should be considered a top-five fantasy TE. The former third-rounder from South Dakota State was in the midst of a breakout last year before his torn ACL, catching 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games played for Green Bay.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
Matthew Golden Showing Out in Friday's Training Camp Practice
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.
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
Source: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
