Things may be trending in the right direction, but the Green Bay Packers still have reasons to be on edge, especially with injuries in play. The bright side? One of their key cornerbacks is targeting a Week 1 return after undergoing knee surgery. According to Adam Schefter on X, the recovery timeline appears short, and Nate Hobbs plans to approach his rehab with the same intensity and mindset he brings to every practice.
Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs underwent knee surgery over the weekend to repair a meniscus tear, sources told @RobDemovsky, but he could be back for the regular-season opener Sept. 7 against the Lions.
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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2025
“Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs underwent knee surgery over the weekend to repair a meniscus tear, sources told @RobDemovsky, but he could be back for the regular-season opener Sept. 7 against the Lions.” Schefter wrote.
Hobbs had meniscus surgery on his right knee Saturday, and a source expects him to miss about three weeks. That recovery window gives him nearly two weeks to practice before the Packers open the season against the Lions. The procedure was largely precautionary, the source noted, to prevent the issue from resurfacing during a critical stretch of the year.
According to the Packers’ depth chart on espn.com, Nate Hobbs is currently listed as the starting nickelback.
Nate Hobbs joining the Packers
Hobbs spent his first four seasons with the Raiders, missing six games last year and 16 across the previous three. The Packers brought him in as a backup plan for the frequently sidelined Jaire Alexander, who was ultimately released.
“I feel like it’s all about how you approach the day – every day,” Hobbs addressed reporters on Tuesday. “I can come into the building and be like, ‘I’ve got to do rehab.’ Or I can come to the building like, ‘I’m going to attack this rehab. I’m going to pay attention in these meetings and get ahead on anything mentally I couldn’t get ahead on mentally [before the injury] because I was taking so many reps physically.”
If there’s a silver lining to Hobbs’ injury, it’s the chance it gives the cornerbacks behind him to step up. Carrington Valentine will now practice with the starting defense for the rest of training camp, while Bo Melton, who is making the switch from receiver, and several late-round draft picks will get more meaningful reps as they compete for a spot on the final roster.
Nate Hobbs signed a four-year, $48 million deal in free agency.
