After a welcome weekend off, the Green Bay Packers began preparations for perhaps the most unique opening day in franchise history. On Sunday, the Packers meet the home team New Orleans Saints but not at the Superdome, rather at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville, the home of the Jaguars.
The NFL moved the site of the game in the wake of Hurricane Ida which barreled ashore in the Gulf Coast a week ago and left a swath of damage and flooding all the way up to the east coast during the week. Much of New Orleans is still without power and the Saints moved their operation to the Dallas-Fort Worth area where they will train for at least the next three weeks.
The Packers meanwhile, took advantage of the empty 4th pre-season week by giving the players and staff a long weekend off, returning for a quick, one hour practice on Monday.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur said the time off allowed everyone to reconnect with families and get their minds right for what will be a grind heading into the regular season. Outside of a mini-bye after a Thursday night game in Phoenix against the Arizona Cardinals on October 28, the Packers don’t get their only regular season bye until week 13, December 5.
LaFleur said the word of the week will be hydration as the team will play in what’s forecast to be hot and humid conditions in northeast Florida next Sunday.
There were no COVID related issues brought to LaFleur’s attention as the team reconvened and the overall health of the team is very good. Nearly all front line players never even took a snap in the three pre-season games. Only backup safety Vernon Scott did not participate in Monday’s workout.
Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith, who missed almost all of training camp with a lingering back issue, did return and took part in limited individual drills. LaFleur is hopeful he’ll progress enough to play in the opener.
Za’Darius Smith (#55) works with OLB’s Monday.
New Punter Corey Bojorquez finally arrived in Green Bay over the weekend and made his practice debut on Monday.
Corey Bojorquez (#7) officially joins the Pack.
With Bojorquez donning number 7, practice squad quarterback Kurt Benkert is now wearing number 6 and kicker J.J. Molson, another practice squad member has changed from 35 to number 9.
The team will take Tuesday off and ramp up the opening week schedule with practices on Wednesday and Thursday before departing for Florida, instead of Louisiana, on Saturday.
