NFC North
Green Bay Packers
AI Summary
Green Bay enters 2026 as a consensus second choice in the NFC North behind Detroit, with power models projecting the Packers around 9-10 wins on the strength of Jordan Love and an offense that has ranked among the league's most efficient since 2023. The season opens under a cloud, though: All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, acquired from Dallas in a blockbuster 2025 in-season trade, is recovering from ACL and meniscus surgery and is expected to open camp on the PUP list, with Parsons himself calling a mid-October (roughly Week 6) return 'very realistic.' Fellow injured starter TE Tucker Kraft, also rehabbing a torn ACL, was only activated off PUP in late July and is still working back into full practice reps. Green Bay also reshaped its receiving corps and offensive line this offseason, extending Christian Watson after losing Romeo Doubs in free agency and replacing LT Rasheed Walker with 2024 first-rounder Jordan Morgan.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Key Storylines
- Edge rusher Micah Parsons, acquired from Dallas in the 2025 trade that sent Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to the Cowboys, is expected to open the season on PUP after ACL and meniscus surgery, with a mid-October return targeted
- TE Tucker Kraft, also recovering from a torn ACL, was activated off the PUP list on July 31 and is being eased back into practice
- Cornerback battle opposite Keisean Nixon among Carrington Valentine, second-round rookie Brandon Cisse, and veteran DeAndre St-Juste
- Offensive line overhaul: Jordan Morgan moves to left tackle after Rasheed Walker's free-agent departure, while Sean Rhyan shifts to center on a new contract
- WR Christian Watson signed a four-year extension in June while rehabbing his own torn ACL, as Green Bay looks to Watson and Matthew Golden to replace departed WR Romeo Doubs (signed with New England)
Injury Report
Micah Parsons · EDGE
PUP (expected)
Recovering from a torn ACL suffered Dec. 14, 2025 vs. Denver, plus a subsequent meniscus procedure. Parsons has targeted a mid-October return and called Week 6 'very realistic' as of Aug. 10, 2026.
Tucker Kraft · TE
Activated off PUP
Tore his ACL in Week 9 of the 2025 season; activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list July 31, 2026, but not yet in full team drills as camp began.