Packers rookie OT Anthony Belton on five penalties in one quarter: I've got to learn quick
Belton was penalized five times during the second quarter of Green Bay's game against the Colts. He was flagged for a false start, unnecessary roughness and a facemask violation before drawing two illegal formation penalties just before halftime. One of those illegal formation calls wiped out a touchdown and the entire quintet was on LaFleur's mind when he spoke to the second-round pick on the way into the locker room.
"Just drive killers,' Belton said, via Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com. 'All the penalties were drive killers. That touchdown was called back because of self-inflicted penalties. Stuff like that can't happen. I've just got to grow up. I've got to get out of those old habits. I've got to learn quick. And that's something I'm on myself about. That's not directly what he said. That's what I'm on myself about.'
Belton had a better time of it in the third quarter. Running back Amar Johnson was trying to finish off a touchdown run against stiff opposition and Belton helped get him there by plowing into the pile to push his teammate over the line. The Packers will be looking for more of that and fewer penalties in the weeks and months to come.
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New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Can the Packers ever count on RB MarShawn Lloyd after yet another injury?
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is injured again. On Saturday, the 2024 third-round pick played in his first game since Week 2 of last season and barely lasted a quarter. Whether he suffered yet another hamstring injury before sustaining a big hit at the end of his 33-yard catch in the second quarter or during it — running backs coach Ben Sirmans didn't know — Lloyd didn't return to the Packers' exhibition win over the Colts in Indianapolis. Advertisement 'He's gonna miss some time,' coach Matt LaFleur said of Lloyd on Sunday. The Packers drafted Lloyd out of USC with the 88th pick last year. A hip injury sidelined him to start his rookie training camp. He then suffered a hamstring injury that lasted through the Packers' season-opening game against the Eagles and an ankle injury against the Colts in Week 2 that landed him on injured reserve. Lloyd reportedly aggravated his hamstring injury later in the season and then came down with appendicitis after returning to practice in November. He played only one game as a rookie. Lloyd visited the same facility in Madison, Wis., this offseason that helped wide receiver Christian Watson and former Packers cornerback Eric Stokes with their recurring soft-tissue injuries. Yet Lloyd missed this year's preseason opener after suffering a groin injury in practice and dropped out of Saturday's game with a hamstring injury. LaFleur said the Packers hope to get Lloyd back 'at some point in time.' He didn't know for certain whether Lloyd would miss Green Bay's Week 1 game against the Lions in less than three weeks. When healthy, Lloyd has flashed why the Packers used a Day 2 pick on him last year. His cutting ability and suddenness have drawn oohs and ahhs at multiple practices this summer. In Saturday's game alone, albeit in a brief stint, Lloyd made one linebacker whiff on a tackle in the backfield and beat another on a wheel route up the right sideline for the 33-yard gain. He seems like he'd be a fitting complement to Josh Jacobs in Green Bay's backfield if he stayed healthy, but that's become a massive 'if.' 'We always have some optimism. He has optimism when he comes back. It's just, for whatever reason, just unfortunate occurrences for him,' Sirmans said, acknowledging he's never coached a player with worse luck. 'To be honest, I have not, and I don't think any of us have, or very few of us have … you've just got to believe that at some point, he will get past all this and be fine.' At this point, however, that's a belief without much to back it up. Perhaps it is just bad luck rather than faulty body parts, but the Packers can't devote too much time to plans that include Lloyd until he proves they should. And there's no telling whether that time will ever come. 'He certainly has shown a skill set and playmaking ability,' LaFleur said. 'Those are my questions to our medical staff all the time, is there anything else that we could be doing or he should be doing? He's in great shape … I think you got to chalk it up to some bad luck.' Advertisement How does Lloyd's injury impact the running back competition with roster cutdown day about a week away? With Lloyd healthy, there's probably only one spot on the 53-man roster for Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. That spot might go to Brooks for his abilities on special teams and in pass protection. If Lloyd lands on injured reserve to start the season and misses at least the first four games, however, both Wilson and Brooks should make the team. That also could open up a practice-squad spot for Israel Abanikanda or Amar Johnson. Lloyd's injury wasn't the only one to occur in Saturday's 13-point comeback win over the Colts. The Packers also lost safety Omar Brown to what LaFleur called a chest contusion postgame (he then called it a lung issue on Sunday). Brown, who stood out with five interceptions early in camp and three in one practice, left the field on a cart while wearing an oxygen mask. He stayed overnight in Indianapolis and was still there at the time of LaFleur's news conference at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday. LaFleur hoped Brown would be released on Monday and said he was 'showing a lot of improvement.' 'He's done a lot of good things,' LaFleur said of Brown. 'He's made plays certainly on the ball. He's contributed on we-fense (special teams), as well, and I think he's shown a lot of toughness. I mean, he got hurt on the first kickoff of the second half and he played like 12 minutes in that third quarter before he went out of the game with obviously, a pretty significant injury. So I think that says a lot about the guy, just in terms of how tough he is.' LaFleur also said rookie fourth-round defensive end Barryn Sorrell 'will be missing some time' after suffering a knee injury against the Colts. In more encouraging injury news, LaFleur said he'd love — no pun intended — to have his starting quarterback practice on Monday. Jordan Love suffered a torn UCL in his left, non-throwing thumb in the preseason opener against the Jets, practiced two days later and opted for surgery last Tuesday. Love's return timetable was set at about a week, though LaFleur said it's highly unlikely they stick to the original plan of playing Love in the preseason finale against the Seahawks. As for Thursday's joint practice with Seattle in Green Bay, Love's participation is to be determined. 'We're going to alter some things to allow him to get involved,' LaFleur said. 'Do my favorite seven-on-seven that I absolutely despise, but in some instances, it's good. So I'd rather have him do that than just throw on air, so we'll incorporate some seven-on-seven into practice.' #Packers QB Jordan Love throwing routes during pregame. He has a thumb brace on the left hand. — Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) August 16, 2025 Elsewhere in Packers injury news, LaFleur said, 'I sure hope so' when asked if wide receivers Jayden Reed or Dontayvion Wicks will be ready for Week 1. Reed has been sidelined since Aug. 7 and recently got out of the walking boot he had been wearing on his left foot. Wicks is still nursing a calf injury that has sidelined him all of August. Rookie wideout Savion Williams also missed joint practice against the Colts and Saturday's game with a hamstring injury. Romeo Doubs suffered a back injury last Tuesday and missed joint practice, though LaFleur said he has no long-term concern about the fourth-year wideout's injury. Advertisement Rookie draft picks defensive end Collin Oliver (hamstring) and offensive lineman John Williams (back) have yet to practice in camp, though Oliver is closer to a return than Williams, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Safeties Xavier McKinney (calf) and Zayne Anderson (knee) are dealing with short-term injuries, as is cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee). Watson (knee) is also likely to start the season on the physically unable to perform list as he continues rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in Week 18 last season. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kelsey Mitchell stats today: Star guard's career day leads shorthanded Fever to 21-point comeback vs. Sun
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
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Interview: Alperen Sengun on his offseason and the 2025-26 Rockets
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Courtesy of @FranchiseSengun on X, here's a roundup of what Sengun had to say regarding the above topics and more. Sengun on Areas of Offseason Focus As you know, I sort of lost my touch this season. I focused on this a lot, my shots and finishing. Of course, my conditioning, as well. This helped me a lot last season in my defense and ability to play longer minutes. And finally, my shooting. Sengun on 'Double Big' Lineups When Ime Udoka introduced the double big lineup, it made my job a lot easier. Having to constantly be physical with the opposing center on defense, and then switching to offense, became very tiring. [With the double big] my performance increased, and I had more energy on both ends. Sengun on Relationship with Fred VanVleet Fred has been an incredible leader since he first joined the team. He does a lot you don't see on the court. Controlling and leading the team is not easy, and he also does this when he's not playing. In my opinion, there is not a single point guard like Fred in the league. Nowadays, point guards are focused on getting their shots. Fred is not like that. He sees the potential in me. Fred [and Ime] get mad and argue with me time to time, but it doesn't last long. He's always in my ear. Sengun on the Jalen Green Trade Of course it was upsetting — Jalen was like my brother. Jalen comes off as a very cool kid, of course. But when you get to know him, he's super kind, he's always helpful. Some players, they try to act 'cool' around their teammates, but Jalen wasn't like that. I think Jalen is going to be a big player. I told him, 'I hope this makes you more motivated.' Sometimes he battles with himself, I think he will become more mature and no longer do this. Sengun on Kevin Durant I reached out to Kevin and told him I'm excited to work together. He said, 'We're going to have fun and do a lot of great things.' 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Sengun on 2025 Playoffs The Warriors were probably the one team that would have gave us the most trouble, and we drew them. They're a very experienced team, and they fouled a lot. In the playoffs, they don't call it. But they were the ones crying all series about fouls not being called. When it comes to us, we're not really allowed to complain. It's more of an internal thing. Ime Udoka doesn't allow it. He loses his mind if we complain. Sengun on Playing Against Draymond Green Never in my life has something like this scared me. If anything, it makes me angry. Sengun on Amen Thompson Amen is an incredible athlete. There is seriously nothing else like this Amen is very hardworking. As you know, in the NBA there is other things like 'fit' [clothing] culture. Amen is strictly basketball. He works hard in practice, takes his recovery seriously He makes the most of his God-given athleticism. Sengun on Thompson's Injury There was one game, Amen needed an an assist or something to get his trouble-double. Normally, Ime Udoka doesn't leave you in the game if there is a big score difference. There were countless times he didn't put me back in the game when I was close. But that game, Udoka let him play, and Amen twisted his ankle. After that I joked saying 'Amen, you ruined it for all of us. Now Udoka will never let me continue to play [to get a triple double].' Sengun on 2025-26 Season There will be a lot of pressure this year, but I think the entire team has the strength to handle it. We are now like soldiers — Ime and his soldiers. I think everyone is extremely focused and working hard. I hope we will live this excitement, and will allow others to feel the same excitement. Sengun on the Western Conference The West is dangerous. You can say there is no bad team. But this is also good for us... it will get us ready for the playoffs. You play more focused against better teams. Sengun on All-Star Honors It was great being with the other stars, to get to know them. It was upsetting not to be selected for All-NBA. This was one of my goals. But these sort of things motivate me. So this season, my goal will be to be All-NBA and become a champion. Even if I don't become All-NBA, as long as the team is successful [that is what matters]. Sengun on Winning a Title in Houston The complete interview can be viewed below (Turkish with English subtitles). More: Ime Udoka, Fred VanVleet traveled to Turkey to work with Rockets star Alperen Sengun This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Interview: Alperen Sengun on his offseason and the 2025-26 Rockets