On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers will face the New York Jets in their preseason opener. Coach Matt LaFleur mentioned he plans to give all four quarterbacks some playing time. This is notable since starting quarterback Jordan Love had just two attempts in the 2024 preseason, compared to 33 the year before.
LaFleur highlighted the NFL’s push for teams to play their starters more in preseason games. This stems from research suggesting that players who sit out these games are at higher risk for injuries during the regular season. However, it’s still unclear how joint practices will factor into this. The Packers will have joint practices in Weeks 2 and 3 of the preseason.
In a recent practice, the Packers received some tough news. Offensive lineman Travis Glover has been placed on injured reserve, missing the entire season due to a lat injury that will require surgery. This opens the door for either Donovan Jennings or Kadeem Telfort to claim a spot on the 53-man roster.
On a brighter note, running back MarShawn Lloyd has been cleared to practice and is off the injury report. He wasn’t a full participant yet, but it’s a step in the right direction. Linebacker Quay Walker took a similar approach when returning from injury, gradually working back into the lineup.
Several players were absent from Thursday’s practice due to injuries, including RB Emanuel Wilson and WR Christian Watson, among others. The new injuries to WR Jayden Reed, C Elgton Jenkins, and S Xavier McKinney add to the list and highlight the unpredictability of the preseason.
With Jenkins and Walker out, the Packers shuffled their offensive line. Jacob Monk took on center duties, and Jordan Morgan played left tackle. The team has a solid plan for their offensive line, but it could change with Glover’s injury.
Interestingly, the offense had a strong showing in the red zone during practice. Jordan Love excelled, showcasing his skills with a speed option touchdown. There’s hope he can regain the speed he had before his knee injury.
Tight end John FitzPatrick, who joined the Packers last season from the Falcons’ practice squad, is improving his role. He’s moving beyond just blocking and has shown promise in recent drills.
On the defensive side, veteran Keisean Nixon sat out practice for a rest day, which led to Carrington Valentine and Bo Melton stepping in as starting outside cornerbacks. The cornerback depth chart could shift further as rookie Kamal Hadden is still dealing with injuries.
The linebacker position is also competitive, with Isaiah McDuffie vying against newly signed Isaiah Simmons for playing time. In team drills, Simmons got the early edge, reflecting Green Bay’s intent to bolster their defensive lineup.
Lastly, kicker Brandon McManus had a slightly off practice session, missing a few field goals but still maintains an impressive camp performance with a make percentage of 92%. Last season, he had an even better percentage, showcasing his reliability as crucial to the team’s offense.
Overall, the Packers are shaping their roster for the upcoming season, navigating injuries and developing talent as they prepare for kickoff. It’s an exciting time as fans kickoff the new season and hope for success on the field.
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