We're three weeks done with training camp and the first road Pre-season game awaits for the Green Bay Packers.
Game number two will offer our first look at the ones. Head Coach Matt LaFleur said after practice Tuesday the starters will likely go at least through the first quarter in Baltimore against the Ravens on Thursday night.
The two hour workout on Ray Nitschke Field was highlighted by a hovering helicopter midway through. LaFleur said he didn't even notice it but wondered if the Chicago Bears deployed a spy.
A dozen players were on the sidelines including Jamaal Williams, Kevin King, Oren Burks, Trevor Davis and new to the list, Josh Jones who was out with an illness.
Both fullbacks on the roster were also out, Danny Vitale and Malcolm Johnson but newly arrived fullback, Tommy Bohanon, practiced for the first time. Bohanan spent his first five NFL seasons with the Jets and Jaguars.
(Tommy Bohanon, #48, tugs on a mate in his first practice)
Some big plays were made in team periods. Defensively, Will Redmond picked off DeShone Kizer on an errant pass over the middle. Jimmy Graham made a beautiful grab on a 32 yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers. Running down the middle of the field and getting behind Adrian Amos, Graham turned his body while the ball was in flight to pull down the over the shoulder TD grab. After the first and second string offense fizzled in running the two minute drill, third string quarterback Manny Wilkins escaped a rush, danced to his right and found Teo Redding for a touchdown on the final snap of practice.
The offense celebrated the competitive drill victory, but so did the defense which thought Wilkins would have been sacked on the play. LaFleur was diplomatic saying he'd have to see the film first.
In a special teams period, both Mason Crosby and Sam Ficken went three for three on field goals. They each made kicks from 28, 32 and 37 yards out.
The Packers got good medical news on Burks. He suffered a pectoral injury against Houston last week and after a second opinion, it was learned he will not need surgery. The injury still will take a while to heal. General Manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday they don't have a timetable for his return but are are happy it will not be season ending. There is a chance Burks could get carried on the roster until after the final cut and get placed on injured reserve, forcing him to miss the first six weeks of the season.
Gutekunst annonced the release of defensive back Derrick Jones who was waived after failing his physical.
