Packers Family Night reveals standout performers and areas of concern in practice eight

Green Bay – At the Packers’ eighth training-camp practice, held during a Family Night event, coaches used the session to assess depth on the offensive line and gauge the progress of several young players. Right tackle Anthony Belton, who moved from guard to tackle, struggled in pass protection and incurred false-start penalties, prompting coach Matt LaFleur to note that Belton’s versatility is valued but his performance needs improvement.

Offensive linemen Jager Burton and Jacob Monk each earned first-team reps at guard, with LaFleur saying they are "pushing to crack the lineup." Kicker Trey Smack improved his accuracy, converting six of seven attempts, and described the experience as "great."

Defensively, edge rusher Lukas Van Ness impressed in a two-minute drill, earning the coach’s description of him as "disruptive," while fellow edge Barryn Sorrell recorded early tackles on running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong. Defensive tackle Jonathan Ford made a notable play by stopping rookie running back Jaden Nixon after shedding a blocker.

Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper contributed a safety and a key tackle, and wide receivers Savion Williams and Matthew Golden each secured touchdown catches, with LaFleur highlighting Williams’ physical traits and Golden’s competitive drive.

Some players were identified as needing improvement. Cornerback Keisean Nixon was outperformed in one-on-one drills by Golden, and running back Damien Martinez continued to face challenges finding space behind the offensive line. Safety Xavier McKinney missed an interception opportunity during a drill.

LaFleur also commented on the overall quality of the practice, noting several penalties and describing the session as "sloppy" but valuable for teaching players to perform under fatigue. The event featured a new tradition in which youth participants competed to catch the most punts, with several players recording five catches each.