It's Now Or Never For Many Green Bay Packers

Forbes

2 days ago

The Green Bay Packers' current injury list reads like a copy of James Joyce's 'Ulysses.'
In essence, it's long.
And while the Packers expect everyone back for their Sept. 7 season opener against Detroit, don't expect to see players like quarterback Jordan Love (hand), safety Xavier McKinney, cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee), and wideouts Jayden Reed (foot), Romeo Doubs (back) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) again this preseason.
That means several others will see their playing time rise as they attempt to win roster spots.
'We're missing a lot of key players that are integral to our success as a football team,' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. 'It is what it is. It's an opportunity for some other guys. We've definitely had some injuries strike up at some positions where it's made us pretty thin.'
The first opportunity comes today, when Green Bay has a joint practice against Indianapolis. Those two teams then meet in an exhibition game Saturday at noon.
Here's a look at some of the more intriguing battles with training camp entering the home stretch.WIDE RECEIVER
The Packers' top five figure to be rookie Matthew Golden, Reed, Doubs, Wicks and rookie Savion Williams. Only Golden figures to see the field against the Colts after Williams dropped out of practice Tuesday with an apparent hamstring injury and Doubs left after colliding with safety Evan Williams.
Green Bay typically keeps six receivers, meaning veterans Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman, along with unproven Julian Hicks, Isaiah Neyor, Cornelius Johnson, Kawaan Baker and Will Sheppard are battling for one spot.
Heath has occupied a roster spot the last two seasons, but has just 25 receptions in that time. Hardman, part of two Super Bowl champion teams in Kansas City, hurt his chances with two poor decisions — and one fumble — on punt returns in Green Bay's preseason opener.
The rest of the group has one week left to turn heads.
'We're down a couple guys, but that next man up,' said Hicks, who spent last season on the practice squad. 'Guys got to step up and make plays and be ready to go. I'm just trying to continue to do my job and whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do it.'
Added Neyor, who was signed last week: 'I just want to show them that I can make plays, anything that the team needs me to do, whether it's blocking, whether it's going on special teams, whether it's making big catches. Whatever it is, I want to be able to provide that for the team.'CORNERBACK
Hobbs had surgery to repair a partial meniscus tear in his right knee earlier this month. That left Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine as the only proven corners on the roster.
Kalen King, a 2024 seventh round draft pick who spent last season on the practice squad, played well in the preseason opener and seems positioned to make the 53-man roster.
'I think you see Year 2 there's a lot of growth,' Packers' passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley said of King. 'Physically for one and mentally he's done a really good job of learning outside corner and inside nickel and being able to do those jobs at a pretty good level right now.'
Converted cornerback Bo Melton has enjoyed a solid camp, and could win a roster spot with a big finish.
Others such as veteran Corey Ballentine, 2025 seventh round draft pick Micah Robinson, Kamal Hadden and Johnathan Baldwin hope to make a move with additional playing time.
With depth here thin, don't be surprised if Green Bay trades for an additional corner before final rosters are set on Aug. 26.RUNNING BACK
Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs played one snap in the preseason opener and will remain in bubble wrap. Oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd returned to practice this week, and if healthy, will be a big part of the Packers' rushing attack.
'I haven't played football in – it's been a minute since I played football, pretty much since college really,' Lloyd said Tuesday. 'I'm excited to play against another team. Just have fun and showcase what I can do. I'm excited.'
Green Bay almost always keeps three running backs, meaning that final spot would come down to Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and perhaps wildcard Israel Abanikanda.
Wilson ran for 502 yards and had five total touchdowns as Green Bay's No. 2 back in 2024. Brooks was signed early last season, and is solid in almost every facet. Abanikanda, a fifth round pick in 2023 by San Francisco, has had a decent camp.
Green Bay could keep four running backs, but history says it will be three — meaning tough cuts await.LEFT TACKLE
Incumbent Rasheed Walker and challenger Jordan Morgan are battling for the starting job.
No matter what happens, both will be on the roster — unless Walker is traded. But the final days of training camp will decide who wins the starting job.
Walker returned to practice this week from a groin injury. By now, though, the Packers know who he is. In the last two seasons, Walker has made 35 starts (including playoffs) and more than held his own protecting Jordan Love's blindside.
'I mean, I started 35 games. I don't think I have to say anything else,' Walker said earlier in camp. 'I've started 35 games at left tackle. Played left tackle. And field goal. So it's just like, that's all, whatever. Nothing really else to say. I'm a starter. I've started 35 games. I've started pretty much every game the last two years.'
The Packers are giving Morgan — their first round draft pick in 2024 — every chance to win the job, though.
With Walker sidelined, Morgan started the preseason opener and played well. Morgan is the better athlete and could win the job with big performances against Indianapolis and Seattle next week.
'I thought he did a nice job,' LaFleur said of Morgan's performance in the preseason opener. 'I thought there was a lot of good things to build upon and it was a solid performance.'