Team news: Green Bay Packers

Alvin Kamara practiced fully Wednesday after missing the season opener with a knee injury. Head coach Kellen Moore indicated that Kamara probably could have played in Week 1 and is expected back against Baltimore.

Related Players: Travis Etienne, Kendre Miller, Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson

Kamara’s return should reduce Etienne’s passing-down involvement and remove Miller from fantasy consideration. Etienne remains the better bet to lead the Saints in carries, but Kamara can immediately reclaim a receiving and hurry-up role, depending on how efficient he ends up being with those touches.

The Packers and tight end Tucker Kraft agreed to terms on a four-year extension worth up to $92 million Saturday.

The base extension is worth $75 million and includes a $26 million signing bonus. Kraft will average $19.66 million over the first three new years of the deal, a deal that now runs through the 2030 season. Kraft has worked his way back from a torn ACL and is not on the injury report as he gets set for Sunday’s opener against the Vikings. If he stays healthy, Kraft could end up being one of the best value picks in fantasy football this season.

Alvin Kamara is officially questionable for Sunday’s opener against Detroit, but he progressed from limited practices Wednesday and Thursday to full participation Friday. Moore subsequently described the veteran running back as “ready to go.”

Related Players: Travis Etienne, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime

Kamara’s full practice suggests he will play, but his long layoff and uncertain initial workload make him extremely difficult to trust in Week 1 lineups. Etienne is still the clear option in the Saints backfield until proven otherwise.

Josh Jacobs pleads no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property.

Related Players: MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, Kaleb Johnson, Pierre Strong Jr.

The plea resolves an important portion of Jacobs’ legal case but provides no immediate clarity about NFL discipline. Jacobs remains on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and cannot practice or play until the league changes his status.

The NFL may now be in a better position to determine a suspension, but its timing and length remain unknown. Lloyd remains Green Bay’s leading fantasy option for Sunday against Minnesota, with Brooks and Johnson providing deeper backfield depth.

Jacobs’ initial court appearance has been rescheduled from Nov. 17 to Sept. 10, according to Brown County court records.

Jacobs likely will not appear personally because his attorneys have filed authorization to represent him at the hearing. The Packers running back faces misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May 23 incident.

Related Players: MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, Chris Brooks

Moving the hearing ahead by more than two months could provide earlier clarity regarding Jacobs’ legal situation and the NFL’s response, but an initial appearance does not guarantee an immediate resolution or his removal from the exempt list. Jacobs remains unavailable until the league changes his status. Lloyd continues to be the primary fantasy beneficiary, with Johnson and Brooks providing deeper backfield insurance.

This comes following Jacobs being charged with two misdemeanors last week stemming from his May arrest. Jacobs will still be paid for this season but will not be allowed to practice or play until he is taken off the list. He will not count against the 53-man roster. This could also help explain the Packers acquiring Kaleb Johnson from the Steelers. MarShawn Lloyd now stands to be the lead back, at least early in the season until Jacobs comes back. When that is is anyone’s guess. Jacobs isn’t due in court until November.

The Packers are acquiring running back Kaleb Johnson from the Steelers.

Johnson announced his own trade, posting on his social media, “Appreciate it Steelers Nation. Let’s do it Packers.” Johnson was a third-round pick for the Steelers in 2025 but ended up buried behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. The Steelers essentially swapped Gainwell for Rico Dowdle this season, leaving Johnson stuck. Now he joins a Green Bay backfield that is waiting to see if Josh Jacobs will serve a suspension as a result of his May arrest and August charges.

Packers head coach told reporters Friday he “fully anticipates” running back Josh Jacobs to be on the roster.

This comes after Jacobs was formally charged with two misdemeanors, battery and criminal damage, related to an alleged incident on May 23. Jacobs was arrested on May 26 and has a court appearance set for November 17. There is still a chance the NFL suspends Jacobs for the start of the season, even as the legal process plays itself out, as they do not have to wait for the process to finish to suspend him, if they choose to do so. The Packers open their season in 15 days against the Minnesota Vikings. Marshawn Lloyd is already a popular handcuff pick in drafts and would immediately shoot up the rankings if Jacobs were to miss time.

Sources: The #Packers are signing former Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith to a 1-year deal.

One of the NFL’s most respected veterans, Smith has amassed 345 career catches and 30 TDs.

Related Players: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle

Smith’s history with LaFleur and ability to line up in multiple spots make him more interesting than a typical late-camp depth signing, but Kraft remains the clear lead tight end. Smith could take some secondary routes and work in two-tight end packages while Musgrave (neck) is unavailable.

Tight end Tucker Kraft took a couple of hard hits during the joint practice, including one that was flagged for a late hit. He didn't seem to mind or think it was dirty. "I needed some contact like that to wake up the nervous system and get ready for Week 1," said Kraft, who won't play in any preseason games but is expected to be full go for the opener. Kraft, who is coming off ACL surgery, practiced despite not having a contract extension done yet. "I would say we're on the same page that we'd like to get it done as soon as possible, prior to Week 1, for sure," Kraft said.

Related Players: Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle

This strengthens the case for drafting Kraft as a top-five tight end despite the relatively recent ACL tear. Barring a setback, he should avoid the limited early-season role that had been the risk following early-summer quotes.