The Packers conducted their second, closed walk through practice of the week today but they’ll run through the tunnel at Lambeau Field tomorrow night for the first time with the annual Family Night practice.
Another roster move was made by General Manager Brian Gutekunst and it came out of necessity. Losing linebackers Randy Ramsey to a serious ankle injury and Kamal Martin to a minor nick, not to mention having rookie Isaiah McDuffie just come off the Physically Unable to Perform list and veteran Za’Darius Smith still on PUP, the numbers are short at the position.
Gutekunst has signed DE/OLB Chauncey Rivers. The first year player was waived recently by the Baltimore Ravens. The 6-2, 262 pound edge rusher played in college at both Georgia and Mississippi State and spent his rookie year last season on Baltimore’s practice squad, getting activated for just one game. To make room, the Packers cut long snapper Joe Fortunato.
That leaves incumbent Hunter Bradley as the only snapping specialist.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur had six specialists on his camp roster until now and said today the kicking competition between Mason Crosby and J.J. Molson and the punting dual between J.K. Scott and Ryan Winslow will continue through the pre-season.
As for the Saturday night show, LaFleur is looking forward to the event which was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. Recalling his first Family Night, LaFleur said “I just couldn’t believe how many people showed up to watch a practice, it was special.”
For the first time in camp there will be referees on the field and they’ll be mindful of rule changes for 2021 including illegal blocks downfield. LaFleur discussed the officials’ appearance, the rule and the anticipated atmosphere on what won’t be just another practice.
The practice itself begins at 7:30 PM but there will be a variety of on-field activities taking place beforehand with the traditional fireworks afterward.
