GREEN BAY \u2013 The Packers returned to practice on a sweltering Sunday at Ray Nitschke Field.<\/p>\n
Here are five things we learned:<\/p>\n
Kalen King<\/a> is making progress after redshirt rookie year.<\/p>\n Before suffering a wrist injury that required surgery, the first-year cornerback turned some heads during the early portion of the Packers’ offseason program.<\/p>\n Over the summer, King opted to stay and continued his rehab in Green Bay. Now healthy once again, the 2024 seventh-round pick has picked up right where he left off while working primarily at nickel with the second-team defense.<\/p>\n “I think he’s had a pretty impressive three days, especially coming off the wrist surgery,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “Just continue to stack those days and take advantage of those opportunities. But I think he’s shown a lot. I know he’s not the biggest guy, but he’ll throw his body around in there and shows a lot of toughness.”<\/p>\n The 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback is part of a wide-open competition for a place on the depth chart behind established veterans Nate Hobbs<\/a>, Keisean Nixon<\/a> and Carrington Valentine<\/a>.<\/p>\n An All-Big Ten selection at Penn State, King spent his rookie season learning how to play nickel cornerback on Green Bay’s practice squad. He was active for one game \u2013 last December in his hometown of Detroit \u2013 but didn’t get on the field.<\/p>\n With a full year in the system, King is ready to compete for a permanent role.<\/p>\n “I feel like this training camp compared to last year, I’m way more attentive,” King said. “I’m way more intentional, and I’m just more comfortable out there, especially with last year me learning a new position in nickel. This year has been me honing in on that, being more confident, and I feel like that’s paying off.”<\/p>\n Aaron Banks<\/a> is good to go after minor back issue.<\/p>\n The Packers’ left guard returned to individual drills after sitting out of Friday’s practice with a minor back issue.<\/p>\n Banks was one of Green Bay’s two marquee signings in free agency, along with Hobbs.<\/p>\n “It was great,” said Banks of being back at practice. “Hate, hate not being out there and working with the guys, so it was great to get back out there and get work in.”<\/p>\n In Banks’ stead, Jordan Morgan<\/a> worked primarily at left guard with the starting offense in team periods. The 2024 first-round pick also has been rotating in at left tackle and right guard.<\/p>\n Count Banks among those who have been impressed by what they’ve seen so far from Morgan through the first week of camp.<\/p>\n “I see a lot of growth from Jordan, just from seeing some of the clips from last year and the way he’s playing just in training camp so far,” Banks said. “I can see the leap he’s taken. I’m excited to see how he continues to develop and grow into what his role will be.”<\/p>\n Running back Amar Johnson<\/a> (hamstring) was back at practice after being activated off the non-football injury list. Receiver Savion Williams<\/a> (concussion) also participated.<\/p>\n Five players remain on the Packers’ PUP\/NFI lists, including rookie seventh-round pick John Williams<\/a>. The former Cincinnati offensive lineman underwent a back procedure over the summer.<\/p>\n “I just got a little back injury in the spring after practice and obviously they had to do an operation and I’ve just been recovering since then,” Williams said. “I’m feeling better every day.”<\/p>\n Forcing fumbles is a major point of emphasis for the defense this year.<\/p>\n The Packers’ defense has been active \u2013 and animated \u2013 through the first four practices of training camp while trying to punch the football from ball-carriers’ arms during team periods.<\/p>\n Hobbs and safety Javon Bullard<\/a> forced fumbles from running back Josh Jacobs<\/a> and tight end Tucker Kraft<\/a>, respectively, on Friday. Defensive end Rashan Gary<\/a> also punched the ball out from Jayden Reed<\/a>‘s grasp Sunday.<\/p>\n It’s no coincidence. One of the defense’s key points of emphasis this season is to generate more forced fumbles. The Packers tied for eighth in the NFL last year (16) but are aiming even higher in 2025.<\/p>\n One number the Packers are using as motivation is 34, the league record the New York Giants’ defense achieved in 2010.<\/p>\n “You hear that and at first, you’re like, ‘Damn, I don’t know how we’re gonna do that,’ but then you see these guys in practice,” safety Evan Williams<\/a> said. “The more you speak something into existence, the more likely it will come, and the more people will operate in a way to make that a truth.”<\/p>\n Takeaways and turnover margin were two of the biggest improvements the Packers made under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley in 2024.<\/p>\n The Packers upped their takeaways from 18 to 31, which tied for fourth most in the league, while finishing tied for third with a plus-12 turnover differential. Yet, Green Bay isn’t resting on its laurels.<\/p>\n “You see guys come out in practice, anytime they’re close to the ball, anytime anyone’s close to the ball, punching at it violently,” Williams said. “We’re talking about angry, violent intentions. The picks are great, obviously, but I feel like it’s another thing to go get a forced fumble because no ball carrier is going to give you the ball.”<\/p>\n Sean Clifford<\/a> and Sam Brown Jr.<\/a> end practice on a high note.<\/p>\n The Packers finished their nearly two-hour practice with an end-of-game scenario where the offense had to score a touchdown from the 12-yard line with nine seconds left and no timeouts.<\/p>\n Despite pressure forcing him to throw off his back foot, quarterback Jordan Love<\/a> opened the drill with an impressive touchdown pass to Kraft.<\/p>\n Leading the No. 3 offense, Clifford connected with Brown twice \u2013 first on a 11-yard out to the sideline before finding him again on a shallow crosser for a 1-yard touchdown.<\/p>\n