Packers Minicamp Recap: Tucker Kraft expects to play Week 1

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 12: Tucker Kraft #85 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball and scores a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on October 12, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Minicamp is underway, and today marked Day 2 of the three-day snapshot of the team for Green Bay Packers fans. No one completely took over practice on Wednesday, like pass-rusher Lukas Van Ness did on Tuesday, but there was some news broken before, during and after practice.

Participation

List is same as yesterday save for Luke Musgrave being added to the rehab group. https://t.co/JqitJ0afNZ

- Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) June 10, 2026

17 players remain out for the Packers, including three of their tight ends. Because of their limited numbers at the position, both Josh Whyle and Messiah Swinson have been thrown into the lineup with the starting unit. There's been little information given on the injury status of these players, as Green Bay doesn't have to officially file an injury report until Week 1 of the regular season.

Offense

MarShawn Lloyd catches a pass and steps on the gas. pic.twitter.com/8bxW15OnN5

- Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) June 10, 2026

Throughout the offseason, #Packers best five on offensive line has seemed pretty set. Rookie Jager Burton might have something to say about that.

Matt LaFleur: He's definitely going to be in the mix for playing time this year." pic.twitter.com/z9nqRidnzj

- Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 10, 2026

As we mentioned yesterday, I'm hard-pressed to remember the last time a fifth-round (or later) rookie was getting opportunities to be thrown in the starting lineup like Jager Burton has. Generally, the Packers slow-play playing time, but with left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom out, Burton has been getting looks with the 1s. Interestingly, the Packers seem to be keeping Darian Kinnard as a tackle-only player, a role he played in 2025, rather than a combo guard-tackle, like Anthony Belton. For reference, Kinnard has played guard in the past in preseasons with other NFL teams.

Tucker Kraft just said he anticipates playing Week 1 without a pitch count.

- Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 10, 2026

Here's the big one: Tucker Kraft believes that he's going to play in Week 1. This makes sense, based on his recovery timeline. As we've explained in the past, Kraft should be in game-ready shape by around mid-August, even if he opens up training camp on the physically unable to perform list. Going into the regular season, the only injuries (we know of) that should impact participation should be Micah Parsons' ACL tear and Jordon Riley's Achilles tendon tear.

Defense

Brandon Cisse pic.twitter.com/sJJORzYWHs

- Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) June 10, 2026

Starters in team

Love
Jacobs
Whyle (FB)
Swinson
Williams - Golden
Morgan - Burton - Rhyan - Belton - Kinnard

Brooks - Stackhouse - McCllelan
Sorrell - Coop - Zaire - LVN
Nixon - Valentine
Williams - X

- Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) June 10, 2026

With Benjamin St-Juste out, Carrington Valentine has been consistently starting" opposite Keisean Nixon, though he's been rotated with second-round rookie Brandon Cisse. It will be interesting to see if anything changes whenever St-Juste can return to the field.

For the second straight day, Nazir Stackhouse has been the team's starting" nose tackle. Keep in mind, Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave (who could play nose) and Warren Brinson (who could play nose) have been out for all of minicamp. Truly, this is closer to the second-string defensive line than the first-string unit.

Barryn Sorrell continues to hold down the edge rusher job opposite Lukas Van Ness, at least as long as Micah Parsons is out. Go ahead and pencil him over Dani Dennis Sutton and Brenton Cox Jr. as the early Parsons replacement.

LVN has shown a ton of growth per MLF. Says he's been really happy (without pads on) what he's been able to do.

- Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) June 10, 2026

Speaking of LVN, head coach Matt LaFleur praised him after his performance on Tuesday, when he was the star of the show.

Special Teams

In case this turns into a legit kicking competition, Lukas Havrisik could be right there.

Just went 8-for-8, including a 53 and 58 yarder. It was indoors though, so no elements to deal with.

- Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) June 10, 2026

Rookie draft pick Trey Smack didn't kick today, but he did go 7 of 8 outside on Tuesday after going 5 of 9 in practice last week. Lukas Havrisik, who signed a reserve-future deal with the Packers after ending last season on the team's practice squad, went a perfect 8 of 8 indoors on Wednesday.

Savion Williams and Bo Melton first up on KR team.

Pierre Strong and Jaden Nixon next.

Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd observing along with Skyy Moore who is not practicing today.

- Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) June 10, 2026

If you're on kick returner watch, it doesn't look like Keisean Nixon is really involved this offseason. Last year, Nixon and Josh Jacobs, who both got opportunities to be kick returners in the playoffs, worked with the unit throughout the summer. This time, only Jacobs is hanging around the group.

Receiver Skyy Moore should be in the mix for the starting kick return job when he's healthy, but today it was Savion Williams, the incumbent returner from 2025, and Bo Melton, a do-it-all special teamer, who were first up.