GREEN BAY – The Packers conducted a lighter practice in front of the media on Wednesday morning at Ray Nitschke Field.
Here are five things we learned:
1. Kamal Hadden is taking well to nickel cornerback.
The Packers' second-year corner has been working in the slot with the No. 1 defense over the past week and keeps getting noticed for the right reasons.
Hadden flashed his ball skills during an early team period when he snagged an over-the-shoulder interception on an overthrown pass from third-string quarterback Kyle McCord off play-action.
Hadden played strictly perimeter cornerback in college at Tennessee but was exposed to the slot during his brief time with the Kansas City Chiefs, who drafted Hadden in the sixth round in 2024.
The Packers also brought the idea to him in the spring while Hadden was recovering from ankle surgery. With starting nickel Javon Bullard currently out with a foot injury, there's no better time than the present to see what Hadden can do inside.
"It's very different," said Hadden of playing nickel. "Different route concepts. Different leverages. I'm just kind of getting more comfortable with having two-way go's, playing in space like that, reading your keys, reading your alignment. It's just a lot more things that are required to play nickel than there is corner, but I'm getting the feel of it."
Hadden played mostly on special teams last season before getting a chance to line up at cornerback against Baltimore in Week 17. Unfortunately, he fractured his ankle in a pileup while breaking down to tackle Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
Despite a lengthy rehab that resulted in Hadden spending most of his offseason in Green Bay, the 25-year-old cornerback has shown no ill effects since returning to practice on Aug. 2.
Hadden didn't play in last week's preseason opener in Pittsburgh and doesn't know if he'll play Friday in Denver but is eager to get back on the field on gamedays.
"I'm pushing for it. I'm ready to be back out there," Hadden said. "I'm ready to prove to myself but also want to prove to my brothers and teammates and to this organization that I'm still me and I'm back and I'm better. It'd mean a lot to get back out there and perform."
2. Maturity and patience have kept Jonathan Ford in the hunt for a role on the D-line.
Ford's NFL career came full circle in December when the Packers claimed their 2022 seventh-round pick off waivers from the Chicago Bears and then re-signed him during the offseason.
Now, the 6-foot-5, 338-pound defensive tackle is making a strong case for a roster spot at one of the team's deepest positions. Among the unofficial leaders in run stuffs in training camp, Ford has been taking reps this week alongside Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks in the starting base defense.
"I love this scheme," said Ford, who's played in three defenses alone during his time with the Packers. "This scheme, the biggest thing is they want a big nose that's not able to be moved in the run game or (is) pushing the pocket in the pass game. I feel like I bring that to the game and this defense."
Ford has had to practice a lot of patience while playing just 13 games during his first four NFL seasons. But since returning to Green Bay, Ford has impressed Head Coach Matt LaFleur with his growth both on and off the field.
"I see a guy that's really matured as not only a football player but as a person," LaFleur said. "He is a load inside and he's done a really nice job playing the nose position and defeating blocks. He's been pretty impactful throughout camp."
3. Dani Dennis-Sutton is back after recent overheating episode.
The rookie fourth-round pick returned to individual drills Wednesday, his first on-field work since experiencing a heat-related illness at practice last week.
Dennis-Sutton said he underwent some tests at a local hospital, but everything came out fine. He's been in meetings and hasn't experienced any complications during his return-to-play process.
"I was just super-hot, so just took a couple days off to get back, but I'm fine," said Dennis-Sutton, who's part of a tight competition for snaps at edge rusher.
Rookie Nyjalik Kelly (knee) and receiver Bo Melton (stinger) also returned to practice. Melton dropped out on Tuesday after coming down awkwardly on a deep ball in 11-on-11.
The Packers are getting healthier overall, as safety Javon Bullard (foot) and offensive lineman Darian Kinnard (ankle) were the only players not on a reserve list who didn't practice Wednesday.
4. Finding his groove, Trey Smack is excited for another test in Denver.
After making all four of his field goal attempts in last Thursday's preseason opener in Pittsburgh, the rookie sixth-round pick is ready for Friday's encore against the Broncos.
He is no stranger to kicking at altitude.
"I kicked in Utah a couple years ago. It is a little different," Smack said. "I could definitely tell my mis-hits go a little bit farther and then I kicked in Las Vegas at the Raiders' stadium. The ball definitely travels a little farther."
Smack is trying not to get too high about his performance in Pittsburgh but acknowledged his growing comfort. That's partly due to his relationship with punter Daniel Whelan, whom he considers one of the best holders he's ever had.
There's also a budding friendship with safety Xavier McKinney, whose locker is located directly next to Smack's.
"'X' is on me. All over me, like white on rice," Smack deadpanned. "I'm glad I have a vet right now next to me with 'X' and Daniel. They've been in the league for a couple years now. (McKinney's) been giving me insight of how you're doing things as a pro. He's been really helpful."
5. There's plenty to play for against the Broncos.
The two preseason games over the next 10 days will go a long way in determining how the Packers build their 53-man roster.
While Jordan Love and many starters are expected to play in Denver, snaps and opportunities are abound for young players further down on the depth chart to state their case for a job.
"There's a good handful of guys that you know are locks and then that's something that obviously you communicate with (GM Brian Gutekunst) on when we're making those decisions," LaFleur said. "There's still a handful of spots certainly up for grabs."
