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If you’re an All-Pro and you’re going to miss any time, do it now. That’s the Green Bay Packers’ preference — and that of all NFL teams — and it exactly describes how they are approaching the preseason for safety Xavier McKinney.
The big free agent signing on defense in 2024, McKinney immediately burst onto the scene with interceptions in each of his first five games in green and gold, setting the table for a no-doubt All-Pro season. He became the Packers’ first first-team All-Pro safety since Darren Sharper in 2000 as he totally revamped the back end of the defense in Jeff Hafley’s first year as coordinator.
So yeah, if he’s dealing with a nagging calf issue, it’s time to shut him down for a couple weeks now so he can be good to go for week one when the results matter. He was not going to play more than a few series in the preseason anyway, and he doesn’t seem to need the extra reps, so there is no need to risk a more serious injury that could cause him to miss time.
The Packers are surely being extra cautious because McKinney really was the linchpin of the secondary last season and should be again in 2025. As the Packers see other teams losing key players to season-ending injuries and have already lost one of their own reserves, a cautious approach to an injury like this is certainly the way to go.
5 things learned at Packers training camp – Aug. 7 | Packers.com Whatever this calf issue is that McKinney has been dealing with, it must be at least somewhat significant if he’s missing time. Still, he says “I’ll be ready when it’s time to go, for sure.”
EA Sports reveals top 10 safeties in Madden NFL 26 | ESPN.com Meanwhile, McKinney is deservedly one of the top players at his position, slotting in at a tie for 2nd in overall grade with a 93.
Matthew Golden, Bo Melton and 8 other players to watch in Packers’ preseason opener | The Athletic ($)
It sure sounds like the Packers will play their starters for a couple drives on Saturday — at least those who are healthy — so we should get a look at just about everyone but McKinney. Melton’s ongoing transition to cornerback will be worth a close look, as will Jordan Morgan stepping in at left tackle for a banged-up Rasheed Walker.
Bo Melton has surprised himself at Packers training camp | SI.com Speaking of Melton, the convert to cornerback feels that his transition is going well and he’s pleased that he has made some big plays: “I ain’t made a million of them, but I’ve made some plays.”
Chargers OT Rashawn Slater will miss 2025 season after tearing patellar tendon | NFL.com Let’s all just get out of the preseason opener without any injuries, agreed?
Heinz and Smoothie King launch ketchup-based smoothie nationwide | News 3 LV Some people just want to watch the...
