Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The Green Bay Packers’ camp is taking place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Packers reporter Rob Demovsky has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterbacks room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Packers camp. We will update this file often. Is it time for the Packers to make a deep playoff run? Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let’s get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information throughout the preseason.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
It surprised no one that Malik Willis wasn’t fazed when he stepped into the QB1 role on Tuesday while Jordan Love was undergoing surgery on his left (non-throwing) thumb.
It wasn’t perfect. Willis threw an interception to linebacker Edgerrin Cooper early in practice. And on the final play, when he probably would’ve been sacked in a real game, he tossed one up that safety Evan Williams picked off in the end zone. But those who saw him last year, after he was acquired in a late-August trade, weren’t surprised when he made some spectacular throws as well.
He perfectly placed a deep ball to tight end Luke Musgrave for a 30-yard touchdown then rocketed another pass between several defenders and past an outstretched Ty’Ron Hopper to hit Matthew Golden for a big gain over the middle.
“If you ask me, it’s no way that this guy shouldn’t be … starting somewhere [in the NFL],” running back Josh Jacobs said.
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Speaking of Hopper, he blew up a running play, and his forced fumble on Emanuel Wilson sent the ball flying backwards several yards. Hopper probably won’t find his way into a starting role, but he will be a key backup in the linebacker room and on special teams.
After Musgrave’s deep catch, one member of the coaching staff said on the sideline that he thought Musgrave had hit 22 mph. While he’s known for his speed, Musgrave does not quite think he ran that fast. “I highly doubt that,” he said. “I think I hit 21 before, but I doubt this year.” Musgrave missed 10 games last season after undergoing left ankle surgery. He appeared to roll his left ankle late in practice but said afterward that he was OK.
Receiver Romeo Doubs took a hard fall after diving for a deep ball. After being down for several minutes, he left practice holding his lower back. He said he did not have time to speak with reporters after practice but indicated that he would be OK.
Don’t hand the starting left tackle job to Jordan Morgan just yet. Last season’s starter, Rasheed Walker, returned to team drills for the first time since his groin injury early in camp and split reps with Morgan. While Morgan, the 2024 first-round pick, played well in the preseason opener, no starter has been declared yet.
Wilson (knee) and MarShawn Lloyd (groin) also took team reps for the first time since their injuries early in camp. The backup running backs stepped in just as another back, Israel Abanikanda, dropped out with a hamstring injury. The Packers also signed running back Tyrion Davis-Price on Tuesday