Before the Packers returned to Ray Nitschke Field this morning, the pre-season quarterback questions were answered by Head Coach Matt LaFleur. No stunner here.
“Jordan will take the majority of the game and then Kurt will go in there”, he said. Jordan Love will finally get his first game snaps as a Packer when the Houston Texans come to Lambeau Field Saturday night. Kurt Benkert will probably get to play in the fourth quarter.
When asked if Aaron Rodgers will play at all this month, LaFleur replied, “I would say most likely not.”
With that settled, it was off to a two hour workout on very steamy day. Temperatures climbed quickly into the 80’s even with a 10:10 AM start. Tropical dew points brought the heat index even higher and throw in full pads, the boys surely sweated off a few pounds.
The only new injury kept defensive back Stanford Samuels out but linebacker Rashan Gary returned after missing just one day with a sore groin. Aaron Jones and Kenny Clark remained in the rehab group. LaFleur said he has no long term concerns but they likely will stay sidelined through the week.
The Packers still have five players on the non-football injury list, Za’Darius Smith, Kevin King, Kingsley Keke, Will Redmond and Isaiah McDuffie. LaFleur couldn’t offer any update on their possible activation as camp nears the halfway point.
Kevin King and Will Redmond work on the side.
Highlights from 11 on 11 periods included one of the most impressive downfield connections of the summer. Aaron Rodgers fired a seam route to Robert Tonyan who was looking to his inside for the pass but the ball was headed toward his outside shoulder. A last minute twist and Tonyan snatched the pass beautifully. The same pair also hooked up for a touchdown during a red zone drill. Rodgers waited until the very last second with pressure closing to deliver a dart to Tonyan between Krys Barnes and Darnell Savage.
During a two minute drive late in the practice, Love carried out a strong pump fake and hit DeAndre Thompkins up the right sideline behind Ka’dar Hollman for a touchdown. LaFleur wasn’t satisfied and had the ball placed at the 10 yard line to see if Love could get another score but he came up empty.
The defense also sparkled during the Rodgers’ led two minute drive. Marquez Valdes-Scantling went streaking up the sideline and at full gallop, the pass was right on the money. Jaire Alexander ran with MVS step for step and at the last moment, rose up to knock the ball away to deny the TD.
With Clark out, 5th round draft choice T.J. Slaton got an increased number of snaps with the number one defensive line.
TJ Slaton charges under the rack.
The 6-4, 330 pound former Florida Gator is making the most of his opportunities. During one on one drills with the offensive line, Slaton powered through guard Lucas Patrick on consecutive snaps. In a team period, Slaton came around a stunt and got his big paw on a Rodgers swing pass. Last week, T.J. hauled in another batted ball at the line and rumbled into the end zone for a pick six.
After practice, Slaton talked about running with the 1’s:
When drafted, Slaton was worried it was going to be cold way up north in Green Bay year ’round, but seemed to flourish on this steamy day. T.J. said teammates were asking him if it was too hot but Slaton said, “I’m from Florida, this is nothing.”
It’s forecast to be another sticky day on Wednesday.
