Nate Hobbs has frequented headlines during his first Green Bay Packers training camp, and not always for the right reasons. He knocked running back MarShawn Lloyd out of practice with a low hit. He was put in “time out” by Matt LaFleur. Now he’s in the news again: Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber reported Monday evening that the cornerback has had knee surgeries after missing a pair of practices. It’s not good news, but it isn’t all bad, either.
Green Bay Packers could have Hobbs back without missing a beat
The Packers kick off the preseason against the Jets on August 9, followed by games versus the Colts and Seahawks. Their regular season opener is September 7 hosting Detroit.
According to Huber, the surgery should keep Hobbs out for another three weeks, which means he’ll miss the entire preseason but could be back in time for Week 1. He’ll have to recondition after recovering; two weeks between the last exhibition game and the official schedule may or may not be enough time.
The fact that Hobbs could suit up at all is encouraging. It does not seem to be too serious an injury. In fact, Huber says that having surgery now might not have been mandatory.
“The procedure was more preventative than anything,” Huber writes. “Hobbs might have been able to play through it all season with no troubles. But, with Week 1 more than a month away – the Packers will host the Detroit Lions on Sept. 7 – Hobbs and the team opted to take care of things now to ensure he’ll not only be ready for the season but be able to get through the season.”
Smart. After adding Hobbs in free agency on a four-year, $48 million deal, then releasing Jaire Alexander earlier this offseason, the Packers need him healthy. Unfortunately, health is not a given with Hobbs, who missed 16 games from 2022-24 in Las Vegas.
