Full Breakdown
Packers First Full-Pads Practice Highlights Winners and Losers
8/4/2026, 8:37:16 PM
Core Event: Milestone Padded Session
The fifth practice of Green Bay’s 2026 training camp was the first to be conducted in full pads. Held early in the week after the camp’s unofficial start on Monday, the session gave coaches a chance to evaluate players under game-like contact for the first time this year. Coach Matt LaFleur called the padded environment a “milepost moment” and said he wanted to see defensive lineman Anthony Campbell’s flash translate to the field.
Winners and Standout Performances
- Wide Receiver Will Sheppard – In a two-minute drill, Sheppard recovered from two hard hits to haul in a 60-yard gain that set up a field-goal.
- Quarterback Tyrod Taylor – The 37-year-old veteran threw two significant completions, including a long sideline pass to Bo Melton on third-and-2 and a deep bomb to Sheppard on third-and-15. Taylor said the camp is helping him think fast and be efficient.
- Edge Rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton – The fourth-round pick recorded three tackles for loss and pressured Taylor during the two-minute drill, earning praise as the most impactful edge player of the day. He noted, “we’re all competing right now.”
- Safeties – Xavier McKinney intercepted Jordan Love, while Evan Williams broke up a deep pass to Christian Watson. The unit was highlighted as one of the team’s strongest positions since McKinney’s 2024 signing.
- Rookie Class – Second-round cornerback Brandon Cisse impressed with early coverage, third-round defensive tackle Chris McClellan forced a throw into the bleachers, and Dani Dennis-Sutton continued his strong start. McClellan called the draft class “awesome.”
Losers and Areas of Concern
- Wide Receiver Savion Williams – Expected to make the roster as a third-round pick, Williams struggled in the No. 3 two-minute drill and produced limited output.
- Quarterback Kyron Drones – The undrafted rookie threw an interception caught by linebacker TJ Quinn, limiting his chance to showcase his arm.
- Edge Luka Van Ness – After a strong offseason, Van Ness produced little on Monday, raising questions about his role.
- Tight Ends – Injuries to Tucker Kraft (torn ACL), Luke Musgrave (neck), RJ Maryland (hamstring) and Luke Lachey (left foot) leave Josh Whyle, Messiah Swinson and Drake Dabney as the remaining options.
- Kicker Trey Smack – In his first two days of live kicking, Smack was 8-of-13 on field goals, missing three of five attempts in the field-goal period and a 52-yard extra-point attempt that struck the upright.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Matt LaFleur emphasized the need to see flashes translate “with pads.”
Will Sheppard reiterated the camp’s “next-play mentality” after his big catch.
Tyrod Taylor expressed confidence that the camp’s repetitions are helping him think fast and be efficient.
Dani Dennis-Sutton highlighted the competitive nature of the roster, noting that “nobody has a spot yet.”
Larry McCarren, covering the Packers, praised Savion Williams for his blocking, calling it a “void” the team needs to fill after recent wide-receiver departures.
Timeline
- August 2, 2026 (occurred) – A team tweet reported that injuries had reduced the tight-end group to Josh Whyle, Messiah Swinson, and Drake Dabney.
- August 3, 2026 (scheduled) – A tweet identified Savion Williams as a “loser” for the padded practice, highlighting his limited impact.
