Packers practice news and notes

The Green Bay Packers welcomed an intriguing guest on their fifteenth training camp practice: former tackle Billy Turner. According to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, Turner is reportedly “keeping the door open” to play in 2024 despite his casual wardrobe. Turner has spent the last two seasons playing for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets, both of whom are led by former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, after being released in 2022 with an injury designation. However, Turner is currently a free agent.

Concerning offensive coordinators, head coach Matt LaFleur revealed on Wednesday that the Packers’ offense was called by offensive coordinator Adam Stenovich during the first preseason week. As an offensive coordinator under Sean McVay during the team’s tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, LaFleur said he might enlist the help of a few other coaches in calling plays during the team’s final two preseason games, but he does not intend to call plays himself.

In other news from today, the Packers were able to acquire the roster spots required to sign linebacker Chris Russell and running back Nate McCrary by releasing long snapper Peter Bowden and safety Tyler Coyle. It makes sense that Green Bay would need the bodies at linebacker and running back before their combined practice and preseason game against the Broncos this week, as both positions aren’t completely healthy.

What you missed from today’s practice on the field is as follows:.

Take-Part.

Linebacker Quay Walker and offensive lineman Jacob Monk left practice yesterday due to heat, not injuries, according to LaFleur during his pre-practice press conference. He said that the rookie pairing’s departure was caused by a number of factors, including the unusually hot day in Green Bay, the players’ youth, and the fact that the team was returning from a prolonged period of rest.

Today saw the return of cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring), who many had predicted would challenge Eric Stokes for the starting outside cornerback position this summer. After Keisean Nixon isn’t getting all the snaps in the slot anymore due to his inability to displace Stokes prior to his injury, Valentine is the team’s third or fourth outside cornerback option.

Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip), defensive end Keshawn Banks (groin), running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring), and running back Jarveon Howard (ankle) are the players who are still not practicing.

Offense.

Sean Clifford, who has been having trouble this summer, was finally replaced at quarterback by Michael Pratt during yesterday’s practice, which was the big news of the day. But Clifford will start the Sunday preseason game, according to LaFleur, with Pratt coming off the bench. The second-team offense was still led by Clifford until the two-minute drill, when Pratt was given the opportunity to take the reins once more. However, there has been no official change to the depth chart. It’s clear that Clifford is being tested if you look past the obvious.

The starting offensive line today was Josh Myers, Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, and Rasheed Walker (left to right), according to Andy Herman of Packer Report. This was because Jordan Morgan is still recovering from a shoulder injury. Grant DuBose, who leads the team at wide receiver after a strong camp and led the Packers in receiving in their preseason opener, was the most intriguing player to see time with the starting offense. The Green Bay coaching staff highlighted DuBose’s ability to block effectively on the perimeter when the ball isn’t in his hands in addition to his impressive receiving performance on Tuesday.

Considering how frequently the team was being stuffed by the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, Herman’s assessment that the “run game is a major struggle right now for the offense” comes as no surprise. The first team offense’s two-minute drill ended with an expired clock, and the second team offense’s attempt ended with a missed field goal, demonstrating how the defense is still superior to the offense in practice.

protection.

There is a fierce competition at defensive tackle during camp, which will continue until Cooper gets back to practice. Yesterday, following Devonte Wyatt’s initial start, T. A. J. On Wednesday, Slaton was given the go-ahead, making it his 13th “start” in practice out of 15 training camp sessions. Since rookie second-round pick Javon Bullard has been able to hold the position for the last two weeks, including all of the first-team snaps against the Browns, safety appears to be a relatively settled position at this point.

Walker did not start in the nickel unit at the start of practice, but he did take part in team drills today. With Cooper out, this gave Eric Wilson and Isaiah McDuffie the opportunity to play linebacker. When the team was in a 4-3 set, Cooper was competing with McDuffie for the position of second nickel linebacker (beside Walker), while Wilson and McDuffie were the team’s primary outside linebackers (Walker at middle linebacker).

Herman said that defensive end Lukas Van Ness, a second-year player, stood out during practice because he was able to record a no-gain tackle early in the day. Van Ness recorded three tackles for losses, including one sack, last week in the team’s victory over Cleveland, earning him the title of team MVP according to Pro Football Focus.

Unique Groups.

The kickers did not put on a great performance today. Wednesday went to the veterans since Alex Hale had his chance to kick yesterday. Anders Carlson was four of six on the day, while Greg Joseph was three of six during the allotted kicking periods prior to the two-minute mark, according to Herman. Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports that Joseph missed a fire drill kick during the two-minute period, bringing his day’s total to three out of seven.

Now, Joseph is 82 percent, or 50 out of 61, in training camp. Hale finishes at 10 of 15 (67 percent), while Carlson finishes at 48 of 60 (80%). The veteran kickers looked their worst on Wednesday of the entire summer.