Full Breakdown
Packers Kick Off 2026 Training Camp with Fan Festivities and Roster Decisions
7/29/2026, 2:46:54 PM
Opening Day and Fan Festivities
The Green Bay Packers begin their 2026 training camp on Wednesday, July 29 at Ray Nitschke Field. The first public practice starts at 10:30 a.m. and features the bike-ride tradition, where kids line up with bicycles near the Oneida Nation gate and ride with players to the field. The camp is presented by UW Health Kids and includes the 13th-year DreamDrive bike-sidecar experience.
Fans at each open practice can explore the Blue Lot and Fan Walkway for face-painting, magician and balloon-artist performances, a sign-making station near the Johnsonville Tailgate Village, and giveaways from partners such as American Family Insurance, Chevrolet, and Fleet Farm. The Junior Power Pack kids club offers bucket hats and water bottles to new or renewing members who register on-site.
Special theme days are scheduled, including Throwback Thursday on July 30 (fans are asked to wear vintage gear) and a Touch-a-Truck day later in the week (public-safety vehicles for families). The Packers Pass feature on the official mobile app lets fans scan at nine locations around Lambeau Field to win prizes ranging from home-game tickets to autographed footballs. The Johnsonville Tailgate Village serves food and beverages from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on most practice days, complemented by local food trucks in the Blue Lot.
Alumni greet fans at the Fan Walkway: Geronimo Allison on July 29, Tramon Williams and Charlie Peprah on July 30, and additional former players later in the week.
Roster Health Updates
Ahead of camp, the Packers placed several players on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list on July 28:
- Edge rusher Micah Parsons (torn ACL)
- Tackle Brant Brooks
- Long snapper Matt Orzech
- Defensive end Jordon Riley (Achilles)
- Nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse
Additional PUP designations on July 27 include guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Kamal Hadden, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, tight ends Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, and running back Chris Harris (non-football injury). These players count against the 90-man roster but do not practice until cleared.
Kicking Competition Emerges
The Packers have created a three-man competition for the kicker position. After a successful tryout on Monday, July 27, the team signed German-born kicker Lenny Krieg, adding him to rookie sixth-round pick Trey Smack and veteran Lucas Havrisik. The Packers subsequently released Havrisik, leaving Smack and Krieg to vie for the job.
- Trey Smack: 2025 Lou Groza finalist; career-long 56-yard field goal; 10-for-13 from 50+ yards in college.
- Lenny Krieg: 2025 NFL Scouting Combine perfect 14-for-14; former European League of Football player; signed a three-year contract after stints with the Falcons and Jets.
Coach Matt LaFleur praised Havrisik’s performance before his release: “I think he’s done an outstanding job” — Matt LaFleur.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Packers’ front office confirmed the PUP placements as a standard preseason health-management step, allowing injured players to rehabilitate without counting against the 53-man limit.
- LaFleur’s comment underscores the coaching staff’s expectation that the competition will elevate overall kicking performance.
Timeline of Key Dates
- July 27 – Lenny Krieg tries out and signs.
- July 28 – Micah Parsons and other players placed on reserve/PUP.
- July 29 – Training camp opens; fan activities begin; alumni greeting Geronimo Allison.
- July 30 – Throwback Thursday; alumni greeting Tramon Williams and Charlie Peprah.
