GREEN BAY – The Packers conducted a two-hour, eight-minute practice at Nitschke Field on Wednesday that was heavy on team 11-on-11 periods.
Here are five things we learned:
- Four practices in, Jordan Love is settling back into his playmaking ways.
Whether it's connecting with Romeo Doubs, hitting Christian Watson on deep balls or finding paydirt with Dontayvion Wicks, Love continues to find rhythm and comfort at the controls of Green Bay's offense.
The Packers' starting quarterback, who missed the first four days of practice last week while he awaited a contract extension, opened 11-on-11 Wednesday with a quick slant to Wicks against cornerback Jaire Alexander and built momentum as practice progressed.
"I'm definitely getting back in that rhythm," Love said. "Training camp, the speed is always so much faster. I feel like everybody's got that energy and they're flying around, especially at the start. I'm just getting back to playing fast and trying to keep myself slowed down in the midst of all it, trying to not get sped up myself with my feet and my reads, which is something I'm trying to focus on right now.'
Love was fooled once by safety Xavier McKinney, who baited him into throwing an interception across the middle, but bounced back during the next team period when he hit Watson on a 47-yard completion – an explosive play Green Bay had issues connecting on early during training camp last year.
Love finished by leading the No. 1 offense on an eight-play, 65-yard scoring drive in two-minute, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass to Wicks in the back of the end zone with only two seconds remaining. Down seven before the score, Love then converted the two-point conversion with a pass to Wicks in virtually the same spot.
Earlier in the drive, Love escaped the pocket and synced up with Jayden Reed on a 21-yard reception to move the ball across midfield. He then scrambled on third-and-11 from the defense's 33 to set up the TD throw to Wicks.
Linebacker Rashan Gary was hot in pursuit of Love on the scramble, but the Packers' quarterback laughed while saying he "definitely" would've gotten away.
"Obviously, we're still working through a lot of things as an offense, building that chemistry, understanding where we need to be on plays," Love said. "But compared to last year, there's a lot less question marks. Guys understand where they need to be a lot better, and we have a better feel for the offense."
- After a late start hurt his roster chances last year, a healthy Grant DuBose is making plays this summer.
The 2023 seventh-round pick missed all of the offseason program and most of training camp last year due to a persistent back injury.
While cleared in time for the Packers' second preseason game, DuBose was among the team's final cuts and spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad.
Now fully healthy, DuBose has been off to a fast start to camp and made the play of Wednesday's practice when he skied to catch a deep ball from backup quarterback Sean Clifford on a free play despite being double-covered by safeties Evan Williams and Zayne Anderson.
"Free play, (we're) going to take a shot," DuBose said. "Sean Clifford gave me a chance and I just do what I do best. I went up and attacked the ball at the highest point and just tried to make a play for the team."
- Rasheed Walker maintains a strong grasp on the left tackle job.
Amidst position battles on the offensive line, Walker has been a mainstay at left tackle since the start of training camp last week.
The former seventh-round pick started 15 regular-season games last season, playing 851 offensive snaps. He's put that experience to use this summer while being tasked to block Green Bay's top two edge rushers, Rashan Gary and Preston Smith
On Wednesday, Walker opened the one-on-one period against the defensive line by stymieing Smith.
"I think 'Sheed has kind of solidified himself over there and is continuing to make a name for himself," Love said. "He stepped up big time last year.
"He was thrown into a role where it's that next-man-up mentality and I think he did a really good job, so I think Rasheed is building on what he did last year, trying to be as consistent as possible."
- Kingsley Enagbare is putting his knee injury behind him one practice at a time.
The third-year defensive lineman had himself a day. After convincingly winning his one-on-one rep against Luke Tenuta, Enagbare tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage in team before combining for a sack of Clifford in No. 2 two-minute.
Originally it was feared the Packers would be without the 6-foot-4, 256-pound defensive lineman this year after Enagbare sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in the NFC Wild Card game in Dallas.
While Enagbare acknowledges the ligament is partially torn, it was determined he would not require reconstructive knee surgery. A full participant in Green Bay's offseason program, Enagbare feels he's in the best shape of his life.
"It's just part of my routine now, at least for this year and probably years after," Enagbare said. "Obviously it's partially torn, so it's not completely intact, but just staying on top of everything and keeping the muscles around it strong."
- Tucker Kraft is champing at the bit to return.
The second-year tight end remains on the physically unable to perform list due to a torn pectoral muscle but is nearing a return, according to Head Coach Matt LaFleur.
If Kraft had his druthers, he'd already be back out there.
"He is getting close," LaFleur said. "He is asking every day to be out there, which is what you want. But as soon as the medical staff gives us the clearance, he will be out there."
Running back MarShawn Lloyd took a step in his return from a hip injury. Among a handful of his team reps Wednesday, Lloyd received a snap with the No. 1 offense.
Cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring) and offensive lineman Donovan Jennings (knee) did not practice.
