GREEN BAY -- Despite having to move Thursday night's practice indoors due to weather, Head Coach Mike McCarthy was pleased with the way the Packers attacked the 11-on-11 plays with a little extra intensity and aggression.
Defenders were putting forth more effort to rally to the ball and strip it from running backs, while offensive players were continuing to throw blocks and push piles downfield.
Now he wants to see it again.
"We haven't done a very good job of pursuit or finish as a football team up until last night," McCarthy said before Friday night's workout. "I thought last night's practice was the first time for the whole practice we accomplished that.
"The challenge tonight is to have two of those in row."
Plans are to practice outdoors at Ray Nitschke Field on Friday night. That will lead into Saturday's Family Night at Lambeau Field, the third and final night practice of camp.
Even though Family Night is now a practice rather than a scrimmage, McCarthy treats it as a "dress rehearsal" for the young players for the first preseason game, as the team will go through warmups, introductions, and the like. As usual, Family Night is once again sold out.
"I don't know that we could possibly do a better job to prepare them to play in a preseason game next Thursday than what they'll experience tomorrow night," McCarthy said. "It's an incredible environment. It's exactly what you're looking for.
"It's going to be a humdinger. It always is. There will be a ton of juice in that stadium, but with that, we need to have a heck of a practice tonight."
On the injury front, TE Beau Sandland is out with a knee injury sustained on Thursday night, though McCarthy said "the news was better than we feared." Also, CB Herb Waters (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve.
Waters had been continuing his transition from wide receiver to corner but missed time in the offseason due to injury as well.
"It's unfortunate. We were all excited about him," McCarthy said. "You can definitely see the talent, and the type of young man he is. I thought he'd be competing for a spot on our 53-man roster."
Rookie LB Vince Biegel, who is on the physically unable to perform list with a foot injury, has not been medically cleared to practice yet, and his timeline remains uncertain.
"He's ready, but this is a process," McCarthy said. "We have to be smart. I do not have an answer for you exactly when, but he's champing at the bit."
