The Packers got back on the practice field for the first time since last Sunday’s scrimmage at Lambeau Field and the workout was a combination on more camp training and regular season preparation for the Minnesota Vikings.
A big reason the Pack went 13-3 in 2019 and reached the NFC Championship game was a very fortunate run on injury luck. As Matt LaFleur’s second camp is coming to a close, two players could miss that Vikings game with knee injuries.
The most serious is a reported torn right meniscus suffered by fifth round draft pick Kamal Martin. The Minnesota linebacker was having a solid camp, maybe the best looking player among all the draft picks, pushing Oren Burks very hard for the starting job at inside backer with Christian Kirksey. According to ESPN, Martin had a surgical procedure done Tuesday to repair the knee but it’s likely he will miss a month or more.
LaFleur wouldn’t even confirm the injury when asked before today’s practice, saying, “We’ll have our first injury report next Wednesday.” (When required by the NFL)
Martin missed the last month of his senior year at Minnesota with a left knee injury. Burks returned to practice after missing several days and he’s had medical issues in his first two years in Green Bay and Kirksey has played only 7 games in the last two years because of injury. A key position in the defense has a shaky medical resume for sure.
Only 4 inside linebackers working Wednesday, Christian Kirksey, Oren Burks, Ty Summers and Krys Barnes.
Veteran offensive lineman Billy Turner wasn’t at practice today after he apparently suffered a knee injury during the Lambeau practice. While not believed to be serious, Turner could miss the opener according to reports. That would almost guarantee Rick Wagner will open at right tackle on the offensive line with Lane Taylor earning back a starting job at right guard after missing most of last year with a biceps injury.
Other players on the sidelines today were: Raven Greene, Randy Ramsey, Montravius Adams, Treyvon Hester, Will Sunderland, Kabion Ento, Curtis Bolton, Patrick Taylor, Greg Roberts and Simon Stepaniak.
Aaron Rodgers met the media after practice, sporting a unique t-shirt.
Saying he’s a fan of obscure NBA stars of the 80’s and 90’s, Rodgers came across this T in honor of the former Utah Jazz, 7 foot 4 center who played his college ball at UCLA. Rodgers said the shirt caught the eye of another former Bruin, Hall of Famer Bill Walton at an event out west.
There was a lot of speculation over what kind of mood Rodgers would be in this summer after the Packers drafted Jordan Love last spring. Both veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis and Aaron’s backup Tim Boyle have said the quarterback has never been more engaged with his teammates, he’s having fun in the locker room but he’s also been laser focused at practice. Rodgers talked about how he approached his 16th NFL season, which ties Bart Starr and Brett Favre for the most in Packer franchise history, covering both his temperament and his football skills.
Just two practices left in camp before some hard decisions have to be made.
