The Green Bay Packers are currently dealing with a training camp nightmare: an injury to one of the team’s best players. Star safety Xavier McKinney was sidelined at practice on Thursday with a calf injury, and while the injury isn’t being reported as significant, the details that were given certainly have Packers fans concerned.
The veteran safety spoke about the injury after practice, and said he’s glad the lingering calf issue was caught when it was, but declares he’ll be ready when it’s time to go.
"Glad we caught it when we caught it, but I’ll be ready when it’s time to go," said McKinney, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
However, McKinney made it seem as if there’s a small chance he’ll return to practice for the rest of training camp. Obviously, the team won’t run him out onto a field during the preseason, but he may not be practicing for the rest of the summer either.
Xavier McKinney may miss the rest of Packers training camp as he deals with a calf injury
While this may just be the smart approach to ensure he’s ready for Week 1, fans are definitely skeptical about his declaration that he will be on the field when the season kicks off.
Xavier McKinney makes it sound like he won’t practice for a while because of the calf injury that sidelined him today. He doesn’t expect to play in the preseason. Said the injury has been lingering, but emphasized he’ll be ready for Week 1.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 7, 2025
The most important thing is that McKinney takes all the necessary time to get healthy. Calf injuries are seemingly a precursor to a ruptured Achilles when players try to play through them, and no one wants that for the veteran safety. So, even if he has to miss a few regular season games, it’s better that he gets completely healthy.
READ MORE: Matt LaFleur is taking a Jordan Love gamble that may painfully backfire on Packers
Hopefully he can be back on the field in time for Week 1, and this becomes a non-story. However, if McKinney isn’t ready to go then, that could be another nightmare for the Packers. Green Bay opens the season against the Detroit Lions, and that’s an opponent the team needs to be at its best for. Without McKinney, the Packers would be far from their best.
Of course, a Week 1 result isn’t going to make or break the season, but the outcome could be crucial in what’s expected to be a crowded NFC North race. The Packers need McKinney healthy and on the field so they can establish some early dominance over the division.