GREEN BAY, Wis. — In his first extensive action since last year’s gruesome, season-ending leg injury, Kamal Hadden was one of the stars of Friday night for the Green Bay Packers’ defense.
Hadden, a former sixth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, spent last season in Green Bay primarily as a boundary cornerback, but played sparingly. When he was on the field, however, the flashes of talent were evident. He even replaced then-starter Carrington Valentine at one point late in the season.
His injury—a broken tibia, fibula, and dislocated ankle—occurred while he was trying to tackle Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. After undergoing offseason surgery, Hadden returned to 11-on-11 drills in training camp two weeks ago. He missed the Packers’ preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he returned to action for the first time since the ghastly injury in Friday night’s game against the Denver Broncos.
In recent practices, Hadden had begun working with the Packers’ safeties during drills, indicating a potential position switch. Rather than moving into a traditional safety role, Hadden is being experimented with as a potential option in the slot behind starting nickelback Javon Bullard—a position that’s practically synonymous with safety. Bullard has been shelved with a bone bruise in his foot, allowing Hadden to start with the Packers’ No. 1 defense in Denver.
Not only was Hadden targeted just twice—surrendering an inconsequential four yards—but he was remarkably active in defending the Broncos’ rushing attack. He accounted for three “stops,” which are defined by Pro Football Focus as “tackles that constitute a failure for the offense.” Hadden was also responsible for two tackles for a loss.
“He was showing up,” said head coach Matt LaFleur after the game. “It’s been fun to watch his growth, obviously as a player, but as a person as well. How he prepares—he comes in with a great attitude, he’s extremely coachable. It’s really cool to see that come to fruition in terms of his ability to go out and make plays.”
