GREEN BAY – The Packers held their final public practice on Tuesday morning before they head to Indianapolis for this week’s joint practice and preseason game with the Colts.
Here are five things we learned:
- Malik Willis steps back into the QB1 seat again.
The Packers’ primary backup led the starting offense through practice after it was announced Jordan Love would miss at least a week after undergoing a procedure on his left thumb.
Willis famously stepped up in Jordan Love‘s stead last season, leading Green Bay to wins over Indianapolis and Tennessee despite being acquired just a few weeks prior from the Titans for a seventh-round pick.
After spelling Love this offseason, the 26-year-old quarterback feels comfortable again filling QB1’s void during Thursday’s joint practice with the Colts and Saturday’s preseason matchup between the two teams.
“Just excited for the opportunity and excited to go out and have some fun, play this game,” Willis said. “It’s not about going out and doing anything crazy, it’s about making sure we stay on schedule, and we continue to do what we can to make plays.”
Willis was a revelation in relief in 2024. He fashioned the highest single-season passer rating (124.8) in NFL history among QBs with at least 50 pass attempts after completing 40-of-54 passes (74.1%) for 550 yards and three TDs with no INTs.
Although Tuesday’s practice began with linebacker Edgerrin Cooper skying to pick off a Willis pass across the middle, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound quarterback quickly settled in after that.
Willis snuck a pass past Ty’Ron Hopper to find rookie Matthew Golden during a third-down period before hitting tight end Luke Musgrave on a deep through route that generated a roar of approval from Green Bay’s offense.
“We know what Malik is and what we have in Malik,” running back Josh Jacobs said. “He made a few throws today that was kinda like, ‘Wow.’ Just him being more comfortable and him being the leader, I think he’s naturally a guy that he puts in the work, so I think he’s going to succeed.”
Asked about Love, Willis said he has spoken to his fellow quarterback. He also doesn’t expect the injury to Love’s non-throwing hand to hamper him long-term.
Willis used himself as an example, recalling the time he dislocated his left elbow in college but was fine a week later because it was his non-throwing arm.
- MarShawn Lloyd can’t wait to play football again.
It’s been nearly a year since the last time Lloyd dressed for an NFL game and coincidentally it came against the same opponent Green Bay is set to play this Saturday.
The 2024 third-round pick carried the ball six times for 15 yards in the Packers’ home opener against the Colts last year before injuring his ankle, which then landed Lloyd on injured reserve.
“It’s been a minute since I played football, pretty much since college, really,” Lloyd said. “I’m excited to play against another team. Just have fun and showcase what I can do. I’m excited.”
The 5-foot-9, 220-pound running back has stayed relatively healthy this summer, though he recently missed a week due to a groin injury.
However, Lloyd made an impactful return to team 11-on-11 Tuesday when he cut past Brenton Cox Jr. to not only avoid a possible tackle for a loss on an outside-zone run but also explode through a gap for a big gain.
Whether it’s the joint practice against the Colts or the preseason game itself, Lloyd is champing at the bit to use those moves against an actual opponent.
“I can play. I’m ready to go,” Lloyd said. “The thing about our training staff is they wouldn’t put anyone out there if they’re not physically or mentally ready to go. I’m ready to go.”
Third-year veteran Emanuel Wilson also returned to team 11-on-11, providing some relief to a Packers backfield that’s been in a state of flux.
Israel Abanikanda (hamstring) and Jalen White (foot) each suffered injuries over the past week, leading to White being waived-injured to make room for former San Francisco third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price.
“I’ve got to thank God. It’s a great organization,” said Davis-Price, who has 43 carries for 127 yards in eight NFL games. “I’m glad to be here and being able to do my part and doing whatever I can with my opportunity.”
- Jordan Morgan has put shoulder injury behind him.
The 2024 first-round pick credits Packers director of performance psychology and team behavioral health Dr. Chris Carr for helping him move on from an injury-riddled rookie season.
Morgan played in just six games with one start due to a recurring shoulder issue that required season-ending surgery. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound offensive lineman says it only took a couple of days of OTAs to find his groove again.
“Doc Carr helped me a lot with just getting over that mental hump of being scared to punch with that surgical arm and getting out there,” Morgan said. “After a while with him it’s not even in the back of my head, honestly. I just get out there and play.”
Morgan started training camp rotating at both left tackle and right guard but has been playing mostly the former over the past week due to Rasheed Walker working through a groin injury.
Although Morgan was a three-year starting left tackle at Arizona, he doesn’t mind moving around to multiple positions. At the end of the day, he just wants the reps.
“I need them all. That’s how I feel about it,” Morgan said. “I just need to get out there and play and get these reps and build it back up. Because if you think about it, I’ve been out for a really long time and getting back into it feels good. I just need a lot more.”
- Brian Gutekunst provides some injury updates.
The Packers general manager says it’s “more than likely” Christian Watson will start the season on the physically unable to perform list, which will keep him off the active roster for a minimum of four regular-season weeks.
In the same breath, however, Gutekunst also acknowledged “it’s going take a lot of us to hold him back” after the fourth game.
The fourth-year receiver has continued to impress in his rehab from a torn ACL he suffered in last year’s regular-season finale against Chicago.
“It’s tough because when you see him run … you want to throw him out there, right?” Gutekunst said. “But there’s kind of a timeline with these ACLs and he’s ahead of the curve. But at the same time he’s got a long career in front of him, so we want to make sure we take the proper steps.”
The Packers also have rookie draft picks, defensive end Collin Oliver (hamstring) and offensive lineman John Williams (back), currently on PUP.
Gutekunst is hopeful the team can get Oliver back before the end of training camp while Williams “is probably going to be a little longer than that.”
Xavier McKinney is currently sidelined with a calf injury but Gutekunst said he “absolutely” expects the All-Pro safety to be back for Week 1.
- Receiver injuries have opened a door for Isaiah Neyor.
The recently signed undrafted rookie made one of the biggest plays of practice when he laid out for a deep ball from rookie quarterback Taylor Elgersma near the end of practice.
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound receiver played just five games over his final three collegiate seasons but wowed scouts when he ran a 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash the NFL Scouting Combine.
He signed with San Francisco as a college free agent before being waived on Aug. 4. The Packers signed him two days later.
The Packers are currently without three of their top receivers: Watson, Jayden Reed (foot), Dontayvion Wicks (calf). Veteran Romeo Doubs also exited Tuesday’s practice and didn’t return after falling to the ground on a deep ball.
“Hopefully those guys are healing. Hopefully it’s nothing too major with them, but I’m gonna do whatever it takes,” Neyor said. “Whatever’s asked of me, I’m gonna go out there and do whatever the team needs me to do.”
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