We got some good news on the injury front on Monday. According to Packers.com’s Weston Hodkiewicz, the Green Bay Packers got running back Emanuel Wilson (knee), running back MarShawn Lloyd (groin), left tackle Rasheed Walker (groin) and cornerback Kamal Hadden (hip) back in their practice that was closed to all but the media today.
Nine other players remain out of action, but at least four are trending in the right direction. The players still injured are running back Jalen White (unknown), receiver Christian Watson (knee), receiver Jayden Reed (foot), receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf), offensive lineman John Williams (back), defensive end Collin Oliver (hamstring), cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee), safety Xavier McKinney (calf) and safety Zayne Anderson (knee). Watson, Williams and Oliver are still on the Packers’ injury lists, as they have yet to participate in a practice since the start of training camp.
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Cornerback Isaiah Dunn (knee) has also been added to the group of injured players. Another bright spot, though? Cornerback Corey Ballentine, who dropped out in the Packers’ first preseason game against the New York Jets, was at practice today, so it appears the team dodged that bullet.
Now, let’s get into the action on the field on Monday.
Offense
With Rasheed Walker still dinged up, Jordan Morgan got looks at left tackle in team drills today. Morgan took a big step in the right direction over the last week. He looked shaky on Family Night, but performed well against the Jets. His pass protection drew attention today, so hopefully this improvement continues.
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Another young tackle, Anthony Belton, got some first-team reps at right tackle on Monday. No one is expecting Belton to displace the recently-extended Zach Tom anytime soon, but Belton’s mostly seen action with the second-team unit as a right tackle. The offensive staff has stated several times this offseason that their plan for the second-round rookie is to focus him on the tackle position this year. He might be next season’s starting right guard, but we probably aren’t getting a look at him there in 2025.
Practice today didn’t end on the usual competitive two-minute drill. Instead, it was a two-point showdown between the offense and defense.
Per Packers.com’s Mike Spofford, the first-team offense only converted one of three attempts, a completion to receiver Savion Williams. Tight end Tucker Kraft fell on one of the attempts, and the final play of practice was a Jordan Love interception that fell into the hands of cornerback Keisean Nixon. The second-team offense went two of two, though, with an Amar Johnson run and Malik Heath catch.
Defense
Per Packer Report’s Andy Herman, defensive end Lukas Van Ness recorded at least four sacks today in team periods. For the most part, it sounds like the defensive line continues to look good in the pass-rushing department. Other individuals who received praise from the press on hand include Rashan Gary, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks.
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Linebacker Quay Walker also participated as the starting middle linebacker in team drills today. Walker was held out against the Jets, so Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah McDuffie received first-team reps in two-linebackers sets with the team on Saturday night, with Isaiah Simmons playing the third linebacker spot. In his press conference on Sunday, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley stressed that Walker needed to get more live-action reps with the squad.
The Packers will have joint practices the next two weeks against the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, the plan is for the starters to get most of their work in this week in those joint practices, play backups against the Colts in the actual preseason game and then have the starters go against the Seahawks.
Special Teams
Irish kicker Mark McNamee got his first practice action on Monday after handling kickoff duties against the Jets. He was two of three on both of his series of kicks, a total of four of six for the day. McNamee isn’t a threat to take Brandon McManus’ job this year, but the staff has said that they’re going to see whether McNamee can displace Australian kicker Alex Hale, who was let go with an injury designation earlier in camp.
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Apparently, Hale was injured outside of the facility. Last year, he was the Packers’ designated international player, which means he didn’t count against the team’s 90-man offseason roster or the squad’s 16-man practice squad. Green Bay has left the door open for Hale’s return, depending on how McNamee performs.