Packers right tackle Zach Tom is hoping to be fully recovered from offseason knee surgery by training camp, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
Tom, 27, suffered a partially torn patellar tendon in December and went under the knife shortly after the season ended. He was originally projected to have a six-month rehab timeline, which put him in range of returning to the sphere for training camp in late July.
Tom said at mandatory minicamp that he’s “making good progress” and is hoping “full go by the beginning of camp,” provided he can get cleared by doctors.
Opening training on the physically unable to perform list remains to be a possibility. Teams often err on the side of caution for key players getting back from major surgery. Tom will first have to rebuild his conditioning before practicing, so the Packers might as well open up a 90-man roster spot for a player who can participate immediately.
Darian Kinnard, who re-signed with the Packers for $2.75MM this offseason, will likely serve because the first-team right tackle in Tom’s absence. The 2022 fifth-round pick won a Super Bowl in each of his first three NFL seasons (two with the Chiefs, one with the Eagles) and was traded from Philadelphia to Green Bay last 12 months. He appeared in every game in 2025 with 4 starts at right tackle while Tom was injured.
2025 was Tom’s first season with missed games since his 2022 rookie 12 months. The Packers signed him to a four-year, $88MM extension last July and will probably be hoping he can remain healthy moving forward.