GREEN BAY – The Packers forged through a steady downpour through most of Tuesday's 1-hour, 45-minute practice at Ray Nitschke Field.
Here are five things we learned:
- Unexpected rainfall presented challenges for Green Bay's offense.
The Packers anticipated practice would start with a brief rain shower, but that weather system produced inches of rain over the course of an hour.
Since there was no threat of lightning – which would've sent the team into the Don Hutson Center – Green Bay played through the heavy stuff. That required the Packers' quarterbacks, centers and pass-catchers to pay extra attention to make sure the ball didn't end up on the ground.
There were some dropped balls and a couple missed QB-center exchanges, but Dontayvion Wicks and Grant DuBose were among those who made solid catches, as well.
"I don't know if I've seen rain like that before," quarterback Sean Clifford said. "That was one of the heaviest rain days I've ever seen. All in all, lots to learn from. You've really got to hone in on the fundamentals as the rain gets crazy. Just try to get better in every facet."
The Packers made the best of the circumstances, with several players saying they enjoyed it. Defensive linemen Rashan Gary and Karl Brooks, and running back AJ Dillon all said it reminded them of playing football in the backyard as kids.
Veteran safety Xavier McKinney laughed when asked whether Tuesday was the rainiest practice in which he'd ever participated.
"No. I had one in New York," McKinney said. "A camp practice that was like that but worse – and it was way colder."
- The rain died down in time for the kicking competition to resume.
The rain tapered off just in time for Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph to resume their kicking competition. Carlson made all six of his attempts over two periods (33, 38, 44; and 41, 45 and 46), while Joseph went 5-for-6 with makes from 33, 39, 41, 45 and 46 and a miss from 44.
While Carlson drove to Lambeau Field on Tuesday morning thinking rain would pass before practice, he was grateful to have the opportunity to work in adverse weather conditions.
"It was really good work," Carlson said. "The warmups were especially really rainy. The ball was heavy. I think (punter) Danny (Whelan) did a good job of holding the footballs, getting them down quick for me. That was a little different.
"It's not a different kick but it feels a little different with that ball being a little heavier and your foot being soaked in water, too."
Head Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the Packers plan to kick every day during camp as long as the team is carrying three kickers. Rookie James Turner had the first shot on Monday, going 4-of-6 on his attempts.
- Gary continues to make his presence felt.
The rain didn't seem to bother Gary one bit. If anything, it might have made the 6-foot-5, 277-pound pass rusher an even bigger problem.
Gary was a frequent visitor in Green Bay's backfield during 11-on-11, producing three "sacks" over a span of four plays while rushing from both sides in the final team period of practice.
The sixth-year veteran voiced his excitement about putting his hand back in the dirt in Jeff Hafley's 4-3 defense and feels it's making a difference in his game.
"I feel more explosive coming out of a three-point stance," said Gary, who led Green Bay with 9½ sacks last season. "Sometimes when you're in a two-point stance you can create more false steps and with the hand in the dirt, the false steps are taken away."
Gary's disruption helped spark a big day for the defense, which led to the offense finishing practice with pushups.
- There's a new quarterback in town.
With Jordan Love not expected to practice until he signs a long-term extension, the Packers signed former Indianapolis QB Jacob Eason to their 90-man roster.
Eason, who was drafted in the fourth round of the same 2020 NFL Draft that produced Love, attended Green Bay's rookie minicamp this past May on a tryout basis. While staying ready for a call, Eason said he's been working towards finishing his undergrad degree.
"I got the call (Monday) morning, 6:45 West Coast … and was on the plane at noon," Eason said. "I got in last night at 10:30, got five hours of good sleep and here we are. … Situations like that have come up a couple times in the past, too, so expect the unexpected, but you really can't prepare for that. I'm just happy to be here."
The Packers released former Wisconsin long snapper Peter Bowden to make room for Eason, which leaves veteran Matt Orzech as the only long snapper on Green Bay's roster at the moment.
- MarShawn Lloyd could miss a few days with a hip injury.
Before practice, LaFleur told reporters he didn't think "it's going to be too long" before Lloyd returns to the practice field but the Packers' rookie third-round pick likely wouldn't practice on Tuesday or Wednesday.
MarShawn Lloyd told reporters on Monday his hip flared up shortly after returning last week. With Lloyd down, second-year running back Emanuel Wilson and practice-squad holdover Ellis Merriweather have taken more snaps behind veterans Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon.
"He is a weapon out of the backfield," said LaFleur of Lloyd. "We know what he can be with the ball in his hands and what he can do, what he's capable of. We've just got to get him back healthy and ready to go."
Cornerback Jaire Alexander was back at practice after dropping out Monday as a precaution due to "overheating a little," according to LaFleur.
