GREEN BAY – As training camp hits the final stages, the Packers are preparing for one heck of a challenge.
Thursday's joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens, slated to begin at Ray Nitschke Field at 10:30 a.m. as the last practice open to the public this season, will provide a significant test for the Packers on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Green Bay will be dealing with a defense that ranked first in the league in points allowed and sixth in yards. Defensively, reigning and two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson will be the opposing quarterback.
The players have been gearing up for this since returning from a somewhat forgettable trip to Denver. The thought of wrapping up training camp strong against a formidable foe is certainly top of mind.
"They were a top three defense last year so it's gonna help us out," Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins said. "Iron sharpens iron. From a different perspective, it's gonna test our technique, it's gonna test our assignments They get after the passer good, so it'll test us up front and as an offense."
Baltimore's defense returns two of its top three pass rushers from a year ago in Justin Madubuike (13 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy (nine), along with dynamic safety Kyle Hamilton (four INTs, three sacks).
The Ravens' offense likely will be without star tight end Mark Andrews, who has been out since being involved in a car accident earlier this month, but the dual-threat Jackson will provide valuable preparation for Green Bay's Week 1 opponent, mobile Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts.
"It's going to be huge," rookie safety Javon Bullard said following the Packers' jog-through practice Wednesday. "Gotta do a lot of running tomorrow. Make sure I get in the hot tub and warm my hamstrings up."
Head Coach Matt LaFleur hasn't decided how much the Packers' starters will play, if at all, in Saturday's preseason finale vs. Baltimore. It's certainly possible if the joint practice goes well and LaFleur feels his first units got the work they need, they would sit out to avoid any risk of injury.
If that's the case, the joint practice could be the final tune-up for the starting units for the regular season. In that sense, its importance can't be overstated.
"Definitely a complete team," Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. "We're excited to go against them, compete and get better, definitely."
The other piece the players are fired up about is finishing the preseason at Lambeau Field after two road games. The team hasn't worked out inside the stadium since Family Night nearly three weeks ago.
"It's going to be wonderful," running back Emanuel Wilson said. "There ain't nothin' like playing at Lambeau."
Wilson could be in for another major workload as he makes his final push for a roster spot.
Whether starter Josh Jacobs rests or plays a limited number of snaps, Wilson is next up with AJ Dillon (stinger) and rookie MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) both currently sidelined with injuries. Dillon, who missed the regular-season finale and both playoff games last season due to a similar stinger, is awaiting multiple medical opinions to see how best to proceed.
Backup QB Sean Clifford also expressed his eagerness for a home game. In two home preseason games as a rookie last season, Clifford led multiple scoring drives, but none ended with a touchdown pass.
He thought he was on the verge of one in the fourth quarter of last August's contest with the Patriots, having just gained a first down in the red zone. But New England defender Isaiah Bolden sustained a head injury on the play and had to be carted off the field, which led to the game being suspended with about 10 minutes left.
"I'm itching. I'm itching to get back to Lambeau," Clifford said. "I've never scored at Lambeau. That needs to happen this time."
