Due to turf aeration on Clarke Hinkle Field, the Green Bay Packers moved to Ray Nitschke Field for the first time this season for two non-contact practices, Monday.
The defensive line got a much-needed boost, returning two veteran linemen -- defensive end Joe Johnson and defensive tackle Rod Walker -- along with newly-signed defensive tackle Larry Smith.
"It's nice to get that contingent back on the field," GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said. "Larry's a big man, he's got good length and it looks like he uses his hands pretty well. I'm anxious to see what he can do with pads on."
In team drills, defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt broke through the line to stop Herbert Goodman in the backfield and later picked up a would-be sack on quarterback Craig Nall.
Brett Favre found Donald Driver in the middle of the field for a 10-yard gain and twice connected with Robert Ferguson, first for a pick-up of 20 yards over cornerback Al Harris along the left sideline, and later across the middle for a gain of 10 yards.
Cornerback Mike McKenzie knocked down Akili Smith's pass intended for Goodman along the right sideline.
In the afternoon practice, Harris set the tone for the defense, running stride-for-stride with Ferguson down the left sideline and knocking away a pass from Nall near the endzone.
Doug Pederson connected with Mike Horacek in the middle of the field for a 40-yard gain, but later had a pass intended for DeAndrew Rubin intercepted by Jeremy Unertl in the middle of the field.
Darren Sharper also intercepted a Pederson pass in the end zone during goal line drills.
Working inside the red zone, the defense continued to frustrate the offense, as Antuan Edwards picked off a Favre pass intended for Goodman.
The offense wasn't totally shut down however, as Favre connected with Driver for a 20-yard touchdown and later hit Javon Walker with a bullet past Bhawoh Jue.
In injury news, three players left the afternoon practice early -- Luther Broughton (hamstring), Na'il Diggs (shoulder), Joe Johnson (knee) ... Najeh Davenport sat out with a calf injury ... running back Lamar Smith participated in the morning practice, but sat out the afternoon, still feeling soreness in his knee.
The Packers' next public practice will be Tuesday (Aug. 19) at Clarke Hinkle Field (weather permitting): 1:30 p.m. (special teams - pads), 1:50 p.m. (full squad - pads).
Where: Ray Nitschke Field
Weather: 80 degrees, sunny
Did Not Participate: Reggie Coleman (hip), Najeh Davenport (calf), Tyrone Davis (knee), Jorg Heckenbach (kidneys), Rob Johnson (knee), James Lee (hip), Jermaine Petty (knee), Marcus Spriggs (knee), Adam Tate (knee).
Out: Gilbert Brown (biceps)
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