GREEN BAY – Ten days off.
That's all Tyler Davis took between last Aug. 11, the night he tore the ACL in his knee in a preseason game at Cincinnati, and when he reported for training camp.
The dedication and diligence didn't just embody how determined the fifth-year tight end was to get back on the football field as soon, and at as close to full strength, as possible. They also served as a reflection of how much he loves this game and how devastating it was to have it taken away for a year.
"I'm glad you guys weren't out there the first day (during the early reporting period last week) when I broke down after practice and cried," Davis told reporters following Friday's fourth public workout of camp. "You don't take it for granted."
The Packers are certainly excited to see him back in action, even if his 11-on-11 reps are limited initially. A special-teams standout who recorded double-digit coverage tackles in 2022, Davis is a tough in-line blocker who will leak out into the passing game on occasion – he caught two bootleg passes in an early team period Friday.
He was expected to be a big part of things last year as the Packers brought along two rookie draft picks at tight end in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. But that went out the window in the preseason opener when Davis took an awkward hit near the goal line against the Bengals.
In the aftermath, while battling through some admittedly tough days, Davis channeled all his focus into rehab, consciously not thinking about the long road ahead but what progress he could make on any given day.
"You talk about somebody that does everything the right way, he is that guy from the moment it happened to throughout the process," Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. "He is on top of everything."
The patience wasn't easy to come by, as Davis had never dealt with a significant injury before. But it helped to still attend meetings with his fellow tight ends and stay involved on special teams, more than he could've envisioned actually.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who last summer referred to Davis' absence from his units as losing "our right hand," turned the 6-4, 252-pound veteran into a quasi-assistant coach. Davis would study film of upcoming opponents and write reports on individual players, which would be uploaded to his teammates' tablets. He would then act as a consultant for anyone who had questions.
"He just wanted me to stick around," Davis said of Bisaccia. "So I'd go through every single snap and break down every single player. I was watching a lot of tape.
"It was funny because some days guys would get done with practice, and then they'd come by the film room and I'd still be in there."
Whether or not he has a future in coaching when his playing days are done remains to be seen, but Davis noted Bisaccia's affinity for and belief in him "means the world." It sent his confidence "through the roof" and played a part in keeping his spirits up while working his way back.
He also gives a ton of credit to his wife as well as the leaders of the Packers' athletic training staff, Bryan Engel and Nate Weir, along with new strength and conditioning coordinator Aaron Hill for their roles in his recovery. Taking only 10 days off over 11-plus months required someone to always be available to help grind through another workout, and Davis is sincerely grateful.
With the tight ends full time again, Davis has returned to a position group starkly different from when he last played in 2022.
"It's crazy to think I used to be in that room with Marcedes (Lewis) and Bobby (Tonyan), and now I miss a year and it turns out I'm the oldest," Davis said. "Crazy how quick stuff changes."
Josiah Deguara is also no longer here, while Musgrave and Kraft are in Year 2 along with Ben Sims, claimed off waivers as an undrafted rookie at roster-reduction time last year. All made valuable contributions last season at different junctures.
Kraft is the one working through an injury now (torn pectoral from the spring) and is hoping to be back soon. Young undrafted prospects Joel Wilson and Messiah Swinson have joined the group as well.
"T.D. helped so much," Musgrave said of his rookie season. "I remember him telling me, when I was swimming (in the playbook), what to do on the plays. He helped me out on blocks, blocking RG ( Rashan Gary) or somebody like that, Preston Smith. Really good guy and good veteran presence."
Just being present at every practice is meaningful to Davis, who's plenty busy on both offense and special teams. What he missed most was simply being around the guys, especially being in the huddle, and he appreciates it now more than ever.
"As small as that sounds, being in there, looking guys in the eyes, being ready to go and being able to go against some of the best – RG, Preston, Lukas Van Ness … I'm really excited just to get back out there and do whatever's asked of me," he said.
"I love being a jack of all trades. I love doing everything. Whatever they want, I'm all for it."
