GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The Green Bay Packers are on day two of their mandatory minicamp for 2026, and there are a few significant takeaways that will be essential to watch as training camp approaches.
- Packers Kicking Situation
The Green Bay Packers will have a new starting kicker in 2026 after selecting former Florida star Trey Smack in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft and cutting longtime veteran Brandon McManus following his struggles last season. When camp began last week, Smack was 5 for 9 on field goals, with three of his four misses going wide left. He did, however, improve quickly, going 7 for 8 yesterday, including a 51 and another 58. While Smack is widely projected to take the starting job in week one, Lucas Havrisik remains on the roster and could see some action this season if Smack struggles or suffers an injury.
During practice on Wednesday, Havrisik showed off why he deserves a chance to win the job, going a perfect eight for eight, including makes from 53 and 58.
- MarShawn Lloyd Continues To Look Impressive
While Josh Jacobs’ legal troubles continue to loom over the club, third-year running back MarShawn Lloyd has impressed coaches and teammates with his speed during camp. When asked about Lloyd on Tuesday, quarterback Jordan Love said, “He’s very explosive, he does some really good things. He’s one of those guys who has that freaky twitch ability that’s God-given. It’s definitely something that you catch yourself watching him practice, watch him in some of the preseason games last year, and you get excited.”
Lloyd has battled hamstring injuries since Green Bay drafted him out of USC and has seen some first-team reps in recent practices in case Jacobs were to be suspended or if the coaching staff were to put him in a position to replace Emmanuel Wilson as the team’s change-of-pace back.
- Luke Musgrave Suffers Undisclosed Injury
During Tuesday’s practice, tight end Luke Musgrave left the field with an injury that head coach Matt LaFleur declined to disclose on Wednesday promoting the media to speculate if he’ll be healthy come training camp, while fellow Tucker Kraft continues to rehab from his torn ACL. Musgrave was seen with the rehab group on Wednesday, riding the workout bike, but did not participate in any blocking or route-running drills.
Musgrave, like Lloyd, had struggled with ankle and knee problems since being drafted out of Oregon State, and his snap percentage fell to around 35% in 2025, with only 6 receptions for 54 yards and zero touchdowns while Kraft emerged as one of the league’s top five tight ends. The Packers do have some depth at the position after signing undrafted rookie RJ Maryland and bringing back Josh Whyle, who may see action if Kraft and Musgrave’s injuries continue into Week 1.
- Lukas Van Ness Showing Why He Deserves All of the Snaps This Season
The star of practice on Tuesday was unquestionably Lukas Van Ness, who received starting reps on the other side of Barryn Sorrell. LVN was continually going after both Love and Tyrod Taylor, getting tackles in the backfield, which comes as no surprise to Micah Parsons, who remarked about Van Ness’ development last week, stating, “I think by the end of this season, if Luke stays healthy, I think he’ll probably be the favorite. That’s how much confidence I have in him.”
Other pass rushers, such as Brenton Cox Jr. and Dani Dennis-Sutton, have looked terrific in the last two weeks of practice and are anticipated to split reps with Sorrell while Parsons is on the PUP list.
Comments