GREEN BAY – In preparation for their preseason opener this Saturday against the New York Jets, the Packers held a two-hour, 17-minute padded practice on Tuesday at Nitschke Field.
Here are five things we learned:
- Quay Walker expects to be ready for Week 1.
The Packers' fourth-year linebacker took another step in his recovery from offseason ankle surgery in returning to team 11-on-11 in a limited capacity.
Green Bay has gradually been ramping up Walker's workload since he was activated off the physically unable to perform list on July 23.
Walker, 25, started 13 games last season before injuring his ankle against Seattle in Week 15. He returned after a three-game absence in the Packers' wild-card playoff loss to Philadelphia, recording a team-high eight tackles.
Walker said the ankle already was nagging him a bit against the Eagles and it only got worse after he rolled it again.
The 6-foot-4, 241-pound linebacker hoped offseason rest would heal the injury but ultimately chose to undergo a procedure after feeling discomfort during offseason workouts in Green Bay.
"I thought it was just a high ankle, so I thought it was just something that was lingering on at the moment," Walker said. "Then I came back for OTAs and tried to do something and I just knew something ain't feeling right. I didn't want it just to linger on throughout the season, so I was like, the smart idea, probably go in and have surgery during OTAs and get it out the way."
After getting re-acclimated to individual drills last week, Walker led the defense in the first team 11-on-11 period of Tuesday's practice. He sat out of the last two-minute period but mimicked the "Mike" linebacker's footwork from behind the play.
"Having him back is a big part of our defense," second-year linebacker Edgerrin Cooper said. "Us being able to play with each other and having that connection plays a big part … so having him back really adds to our defense."
When asked whether he'll be ready for the Packers' regular-season opener against Detroit next month, Walker said he fully expects to be on the field against the Lions.
"No doubt at all," Walker said. "I'll be ready."
- Nate Hobbs underwent a procedure on his knee over the weekend.
The Packers will be without the fifth-year cornerback for a bit after Hobbs underwent surgery Saturday to repair a tear in his right meniscus that he sustained in practice last Thursday.
Hobbs told reporters on Tuesday the injury occurred during a collision with a teammate. He thought it might be a minor bump at first but "turned out to be something deeper than that."
Still a month away from the start of the regular season, Hobbs chose to get the procedure done immediately to upstart his recovery. It's the first time he's had a lower-body injury.
"You see me walking around. I feel good, though," Hobbs said. "I feel good. I'm blessed. I'm just happy that it wasn't nothing more serious."
One of Green Bay's marquee unrestricted free-agent signings this offseason, Hobbs was off to a strong start to his first training camp in Green Bay.
As disappointing as it is to not be on the field right now, the 26-year-old cornerback fully expects to pick up where he left off once he's cleared.
"I'm a professional. I get paid to do this, so anything that's a concern on my body, I need to try to get on right away," Hobbs said. "I felt like it was something we needed to do. They gave me the option of whether I wanted to do it the next day or the day after, I'm like, 'We can do this today. Let's get ahead of starting to get back.'"
- Emanuel Wilson appears to have avoided a major knee injury.
The third-year running back missed his second straight practice after coming down wrong on his leg while going up for a touchdown catch during 11-on-11 last Friday.
Wilson was down for several minutes after the play but walked off under his own power. According to Wilson, there was no structural damage and he's hopeful to be back soon.
"It's just a bone bruise. I'm recovering well," Wilson said. "No contact. I just landed funny. I'm just glad it wasn't anything too bad like it seemed on film."
Green Bay is a little low on running backs at the moment with former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd (groin) also out.
Left tackle Rasheed Walker (groin) also was among the 12 players who didn't practice but Head Coach Matt LaFleur said he doesn't anticipate it'll be anything long-term.
Tight end Tucker Kraft (groin) returned after sitting out of Family Night on Saturday. Messiah Swinson sat out with an illness.
- Romeo Doubs continues to epitomize consistency.
Building on a strong week of practice, Packers' fourth-year wideout made the play of the day after coming free on a deep crosser for a 55-yard touchdown from quarterback Jordan Love.
Doubs gained initial separation from safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard on the play before accelerating to get under Love's pass in the middle of the field.
"I was the first read and we got the ideal look," Doubs said. "Again, these are plays that we rep year-in and year-out, from OTAs to group periods on air.
"Playing receiver, catching the football is like drinking water – it's essential, it's something we should do on day-to-day basis. Obviously, it's a process and progress. I just do my best to make sure I'm really consistent at catching the football."
- Mecole Hardman closes it out again for the offense.
Hardman caught the final touchdown on Tuesday after extending an underneath fade for a 15-yard touchdown from Malik Willis on fourth-and-10 to cap the No. 2 offense's two-minute series.
The seventh-year receiver was quickly mobbed by teammates before the offense reset for a two-point conversion, which it successfully executed when Willis lowered his arm to find Julian Hicks in the end zone.
"I'm enjoying it," said Hardman, who played most of his first six seasons in Kansas City. "Just trying to learn the playbook, all the details, trying to get it all down. They put a lot of receivers in different spots here to run different routes, so just trying to just get everything down. But so far it's been good."
