Green Bay, WI – The Green Bay Packers entered practice today without one of their defensive leaders, though not because of injury management or rest. His absence came for a deeply personal reason that transcended football.

According to team sources, a starting safety was excused from drills after donating blood earlier this week to support his mother during a heart valve replacement surgery. The team listed him as

Did Not Participate, but emphasized his decision was both selfless and courageous.
That player is Xavier McKinney, the veteran safety who has quickly become a cornerstone in Green Bay’s secondary. Through four games in 2025, McKinney has been on the field for nearly every defensive snap, anchoring the back end of Jeff Hafley’s defense.

Statistically, McKinney has delivered consistent production. He has recorded 25 combined tackles (20 solo, 5 assists), including a standout moment in Week 1 when he sacked the opposing quarterback for a

12-yard loss. While he has no interceptions or forced turnovers on the stat sheet, his presence has been critical.
In coverage, McKinney remains reliable. He logged 100% of snaps in Weeks 1, 2, and 4

, with Week 3 limited to 44% due to a hamstring issue. He also registered a key pass deflection in Week 1, per team tracking, underscoring his ability to break up plays in crucial moments.

Head coach Matt LaFleur praised his veteran’s character: “Xavier’s toughness is what we see on the field every week, but what he did for his mom shows an even greater kind of strength. Family comes first, and the whole team supports him.”

For Packers fans, McKinney has embodied the balance of reliability, toughness, and leadership. His absence today was for family, but his impact on the defense and the locker room remains undeniable.

The Packers expect McKinney to return to practice soon, but his gesture off the field has already reminded everyone that some acts of courage matter far more than football.