GREEN BAY – The Packers were back out on Nitschke Field on Friday for their final practice before the pads go on this weekend.
Here are five things we learned:
- Elgton Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowl guard but still prides himself on versatility.
With Josh Myers not practicing due to a personal matter, Jenkins slid over to center with the No. 1 offense.
Third-year veteran Sean Rhyan filled Jenkins' post at left guard while rookie first-round pick Jordan Morgan lined up at right guard. For the second straight practice, Kadeem Telfort took the No. 1 snaps at right tackle.
Jenkins started 26 of 34 games at Mississippi State at center but has only made three spot starts there (all in 2020) since joining the Packers in 2019.
Jenkins spent all of last season at left guard but still sees the benefit of getting extra work at center.
"Just being able to crisp up on the technique," Jenkins said. "I've been in this offense here for six years, so I know the offensive scheme and things we want to get done. It just takes getting those reps at that position."
Green Bay is weighing its options behind Myers, who's started 40 games at center since the Packers drafted him in 2021. Jon Runyan pitched in there last year, but he left in March to sign with the New York Giants as an unrestricted free agent.
Starting right tackle Zach Tom also snapped during a game last season, but he's yet to be cleared for 11-on-11 after tearing his pectoral muscle earlier this offseason.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters before practice it's unlikely Tom will return to team periods until after Family Night next Saturday.
That's where it helps to have a Swiss-Army knife like Jenkins, who's the longest-tenured player on the offense despite only being 28 and in his sixth NFL season.
"We've got Josh at center, and I feel like he's taken big steps every year, and he's shown a lot of improvement this year at center," Jenkins said. "Right now, he's not here, so I need to fill in that role. You know things happen during the season where players get hurt. So, I've just got to be ready when my name is called."
- Xavier McKinney makes his own splash at safety.
After watching Anthony Johnson Jr., Evan Williams and Benny Sapp III all get interceptions in recent days, McKinney was thrilled to get in on the action Friday.
The fifth-year veteran, whom Green Bay signed at the start of unrestricted free agency, capped another strong day for the defense with an interception off Sean Clifford near the goal line during a red-zone period.
Clifford was trying to connect with tight end Ben Sims on an out-breaking route, but McKinney jumped in front of the pass and returned the ball up the sideline.
"It was actually my man who was going across, so I just picked him up, doing my job and the ball came to my man," McKinney said. "I knew I had to make a play. I was able to do that. It felt good to get my hands on one this time in camp. Hopefully, we can keep that rolling."
Green Bay has been rotating Javon Bullard, Williams, and Johnson Jr. next to McKinney as it looks to find another starter. Johnson got his chance on Friday after picking off passes in back-to-back practices earlier this week
"Ant Man. That's my guy," McKinney said. "He's obviously very smart, very instinctual. He can make plays all over the field. We got a good relationship – I got a good relationship with all the guys. It's been fun just being out there with all these guys and being able to have open communication with them."
- Anders Carlson's perfect streak came to an end, but the second-year kicker quickly bounced back.
Carlson made his first 11 field goals of training camp, including his first five on Friday, before having a 50-yard attempt miss off the left upright.
Carlson said he made a quick adjustment and made a re-do down the middle after practice. While the second-year kicker is off to a good start, he remains focused on the next kick amidst a three-kicker competition.
"There's always going to be great days and there's always potential to have some stumble days, too," Carlson said. "It's all about staying in the present day, staying in the moment, whether it's 6-for-6, 5-for-6 or something worse. I think starting off well is the right way to do it, but it's all about the next one."
The Packers have kicked field goals every day of camp so far, with rookie James Turnergoing one day and then Carlson and Greg Joseph alternating on the next.
Joseph went 6-for-6 on Friday, matching Carlson's 11-for-12 conversion rate through the four practices. All six kicks came between 40-50 yards.
- Corey Ballentine, Caleb Jones and Donovan Jennings all returned to practice.
All three missed the first three days of training camp due to hamstring injuries. Ballentine was on the non-football injury list, while Jennings and Jones were listed under physically unable to perform.
Their return leaves just two players on the reserve lists: tight end Tucker Kraft (pectoral, PUP) and safety Kitan Oladapo (toe, NFI).
Ballentine re-signed with the Packers in March after a career year in which he had 43 tackles, seven passes defensed and an interception in 14 games (six starts).
"It felt good being out there with the guys, running around," Ballentine said. "I think the defense is playing really well, playing fast, and I think we're helping each other grow. Even the offense, I think they're learning from us, learning what to do, what not to do. I think we're playing off of each other very well."
Cornerback Robert Rochell was the only new addition to the injury report, as he sat out with a calf injury.
- Players are ready to get the pads on.
After more than a dozen offseason practices in shells, the Packers' roster is excited to ramp things up during the team's two weekend practices.
"I think we all are kind of ready to get into the real football mode," McKinney said. "Obviously right now we're competing no matter what. The pads haven't been on, and we still want to go out there and compete. … Pads or no pads, if it's people out there, if it's no people out there, we know what our goal is."
