GREEN BAY — The Packers returned to Nitschke Field Friday for their final practice before the pads are replaced this weekend.
Here are five things we learned:
- Elgton Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowl guard, but he still prides himself on his versatility.
With Josh Myers not practicing due to a personal issue, Jenkins slotted in at center with the No. 1 offense.
Third-year veteran Sean Rhyan manned Jenkins’ left guard spot while first-round rookie Jordan Morgan lined up at right guard. For the second straight practice, Kadeem Telfort took the No. 1 snap at right tackle.
Jenkins started 26 of 34 games at Mississippi State at center, but has made just three point starts there (all in 2020) since joining the Packers in 2019.
Jenkins spent all of last season at left guard, but still sees value in working more at center.
“You just have to be able to get better at it technically,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been in this offense for six years, so I know the offensive scheme and the things we want to accomplish. You just have to get those reps at that position.”
Green Bay is weighing its options behind Myers, who has started 40 games at center since the Packers drafted him in 2021. Jon Runyan played there last year but left in March to sign with the New York Giants as an unrestricted free agent.
Starting right tackle Zach Tom also cracked in a game last season, but he has yet to be cleared for 11-on-11 play after tearing his pectoral muscle earlier this offseason.
Head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters before practice that Tom was unlikely to return to team practice until next Saturday’s family night.
That’s where it helps to have a Swiss Army knife like Jenkins, who is the longest-tenured player on the offense despite being just 28 and in his sixth NFL season.
“We have Josh at center, and I feel like he’s made great strides every year, and he showed a lot of progress this year at center,” Jenkins said. “Right now, he’s not here, so I have to fill that role. You know, things happen during the season where guys get hurt. So I just have to be ready when my name is called.”
- Xavier McKinney is also causing a sensation as a safety.
After watching Anthony Johnson Jr., Evan Williams and Benny Sapp III all get interceptions in recent days, McKinney was excited to get in on the action Friday.
The fifth-year veteran, who Green Bay signed at the start of unrestricted free agency, capped another good day for the defense with an interception against Sean Clifford near the goal line during a red zone period.
Clifford tried to connect with tight end Ben Sims on an out route, but McKinney jumped in front of the pass and returned the ball to the sideline.
“It was actually my guy going forward, so I just picked him up, did my job and the ball got to my guy,” McKinney said. “I knew I had to make a play. I was able to do that. It was good to get my hands on a ball this time in camp. Hopefully we can keep that going.”
Green Bay has rotated Javon Bullard, Williams and Johnson Jr. alongside McKinney as they search for another starter. Johnson got his chance Friday after intercepting passes on back-to-back drives earlier this week.
“Ant Man, that’s my guy,” McKinney said. “He’s obviously very smart, very instinctive. He can make plays all over the field. We have a good relationship — I have a good relationship with all the guys. It was fun to be on the field with all those guys and be able to communicate openly with them.”
- Anders Carlson’s perfect streak came to an end, but the sophomore kicker quickly rebounded.
Carlson made his first 11 field goals of training camp, including his first five on Friday, before seeing a 50-yard attempt miss the left upright.
Carlson said he made a quick adjustment and reworked the middle after practice. While the sophomore kicker got off to a good start, he remains focused on the next kick in the middle of a three-kicker competition.
“There’s always going to be good days and there’s always going to be bad days,” Carlson said. “It’s about staying in the present, staying in the moment, whether it’s 6 for 6, 5 for 6 or something worse. I think starting out right is the way to go, but it’s all about tomorrow.”
The Packers have kicked field goals every day of camp so far, with rookie James Turner one day and then Carlson and Greg Joseph alternating the next.
Joseph was 6-of-6 on kicks Friday, matching Carlson’s 11-of-12 conversion rate over four drives. All six kicks came between 40 and 50 yards.
All three missed the first three days of training camp with hamstring injuries. Ballentine was on the non-football injury list, while Jennings and Jones were on the physically unfit injured list.
Their return leaves just two players on injured reserve: tight end Tucker Kraft (pectoral, PUP) and safety Kitan Oladapo (toe, NFI).
Ballentine re-signed with the Packers in March after a career season in which he had 43 tackles, seven pass deflections and one interception in 14 games (six starts).
“It was nice to be 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 improve. Even the offense, I think they’re learning from us, learning what to do, what not to do. I think we’re playing really well together.”
Cornerback Robert Rochell was the only new addition to the injury report, as he was out with a calf injury.
- The players are ready to put on their protections.
After more than a dozen shorthanded offseason practices, the Packers’ roster is eager to step things up during the team’s two weekend practices.
“I think we’re all ready to get into real football,” McKinney said. “Obviously, right now, we’re competitive no matter what. We haven’t put on any pads yet, and we still want to get out there and compete. … With or without pads, whether there’s people on the field or not, we know what our goal is.”