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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

The Green Bay Packers have taken a step closer toward having a healthy Nate Hobbs on the field for them against the Detroit Lions in Week 1’s opener.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Hobbs returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday for the first time since July 31 after missing the first session of the week.

Hobbs is expected to start opposite veteran Keisean Nixon as one of the Packers’ two boundary cornerbacks in 2025, but the 26-year-old missed most of training camp after undergoing a minor procedure in early August to fix a meniscus tear in his right knee.

While the hope has been that Hobbs “could” return in time for September 7’s season opener against the Lions, his chances are more realistic after his return to practice.

The Packers must still give Hobbs the all-clear before Sunday’s game against the Lions, but head coach Matt LaFleur said the team will “absolutely” give him a chance to play.

“You just try to do it a little bit at a time, try to get him back ingrained into it,” LaFleur said Thursday of working Hobbs back into the mix. “He’s done a really good job, I’d say, when he’s not playing of being intentional — paying attention, obviously, in the meetings but also staying locked in and doing those mental reps when he’s off to the side.”

Packers Have Solid Backup Plan if Nate Hobbs Can’t Go

The Packers are holding out hope that Hobbs will suit up for them against the Lions. After all, they made him one of their marquee free-agent additions in March when they signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract to fortify their cornerback position.

If Hobbs is unable to play, though, Carrington Valentine is a quality backup plan.

Valentine — a 2023 seventh-round pick — has played 32 games for the Packers over the past two seasons and banked enough trust with the front office to keep the team from going overboard with cornerback additions heading into the season. In particular, he has stood out as a coverage piece, earning the 27th-best coverage grade (74.4) among all corners in 2024 from Pro Football Focus, despite allowing 23 receptions on 30 targets.

Even if they clear Hobbs to play, the Packers might utilize a healthy three-man rotation on the perimeter between him, Nixon and Valentine to ensure the freshest secondary as they navigate the new season. It will certainly help the back end of the defense to have a new trench monster off the edge in recently acquired superstar Micah Parsons.

Jayden Reed Also Progressed With Injury for Packers

Hobbs is not the only high-profile Packer who made progress Thursday with his injury.

According to the team’s injury report, the Packers also upgraded wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot) from a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice to a limited participant on Thursday, an encouraging sign for the 2023 second-round pick’s availability this week.

Reed has led the Packers in receiving yards in each of his first two seasons, registering a career-high 857 yards in 2024. He has also scored 17 total touchdowns in his 33 career games, making him a critical component of the Packers’ offense heading into 2025.

The Packers are also monitoring injuries with two of their other receivers — Dontayvion Wicks and rookie third-rounder Savion Williams — ahead of Sunday’s kickoff against the Lions. The team limited both receivers in their first two practices of the week and will expectedly make final decisions about their injury statuses on Friday afternoon.

Jordan J. Wilson is a sports reporter who covers the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He has previously covered all levels of sports — high school, college and pro — for a variety of publications including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register and Peoria Journal Star. More about Jordan J. Wilson

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