The Packers ramped up practice on day four after a walkthrough on day three, and the headline from the 1 hour and 53-minute session was Jordan Love, who produced his best performance of camp so far.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Attendance/injuries – Wicks still out
Dontayvion Wicks remained out with a concussion but was watching practice from the sidelines.
There were no serious injuries for the Packers on Saturday, although Tucker Kraft took a knee to his quad and was seen limping with ice on his right leg, while Keisean Nixon stayed down after a punt return rep, before walking off on his own and then returning to practice.
Individual drills – Nixon on offense?
The eye-catching moment in individual work came when cornerback Nixon lined up with the offense, catching some passes. Head coach Matt LaFleur has hinted at using Nixon on offense in the past.
Innis Gaines once again worked exclusively with the cornerbacks rather than the safeties.
Newly signed undrafted rookie Cody Chrest had a one-handed catch in wide receiver drills.
Depth chart – Van Ness gets first team reps
The starting offense to open practice was as follows: Jordan Love, Aaron Jones, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Zach Tom.
On defense, the starters were: Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, T.J. Slaton, Preston Smith, De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Justin Hollins, Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Jonathan Ford, Darnell Savage.
Nixon subbed in for Wyatt in nickel packages, and Lukas Van Ness finally saw his first extended action with the ones later in practice, including during the competition period which was a two-minute drill.
Tarvarius Moore worked with the twos at safety alongside Jonathan Owens ahead of Dallin Leavitt, and later received some reps with the first team next to Savage.
Team period – Love puts on a show
Love got off to a hot start and kept it rolling throughout the day. He was reportedly 16 of 22 in total and was praised for his reading of the game, knowing where to go with the ball, and throwing it in rhythm and with confidence.
The first-time starter opened the team period with a 15-yard completion to Watson off play action, before hitting Samori Toure while rolling to his left and then finding Jayden Reed on a deep corner route for 20, beating Keisean Nixon in coverage.
On the completion to Reed, Love stood tall in the pocket with Van Ness in his face, while Yosh Nijman was credited for giving his QB time, protecting the blind side.
Love frequently found Watson, Doubs and Toure, who has had a strong camp so far. A.J. Dillon picked up some yards after the catch on a pass in the flat.
The offensive line impressed on day four, regularly opening holes for the running backs.
Dillon found room to run behind Myers and Jenkins, while Lew Nichols had a productive day running the ball. He and fellow rookie Emmanuel Wilson impressed with runs up the middle.
Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan and Jake Hanson successfully sold a screen play to Nichols, while Tyler Goodson continued to be used in a variety of spots, split out wide, in the slot, and in motion as well as in a traditional running back role.
As well as the offensive line, Musgrave, who has struggled as a blocker so far from the tight end position, had a great rep versus Kenny Clark to open a lane for Jones.
Sean Clifford had a nice series with the third team, scrambling before throwing a dart to Jadakis Bonds on the sideline, then connecting with Chrest on an out route. Alex McGough got his first reps with the third team on Saturday.
The defense made their fair share of plays, too.
Slaton stuffed a Dillon run the backfield and later sniffed out and shut down a screen to Musgrave.
Rookie Van Ness consistently set a strong edge in run defense and flashed his power by throwing Josiah Deguara into the backfield, wrecking a play in the process.
Kingsley Enagbare had two would-be-sacks on the day and had some help from Wyatt for one of them. Wyatt made himself known with some effective pass rushes, and Colby Wooden opened some eyes too, bursting past Sean Rhyan and Emmanuel Wilson for a ‘sack’.
Corey Ballentine showed great effort to hustle from his cornerback spot to fight through a block and halt a Malik Heath end around, before combining with Enagbare to stop a run in the backfield, beating Tyler Davis, who had an up and down day as a blocker.
The corners didn’t make life easy for Green Bay’s receivers, with Alexander’s coverage predictably sticky. He and Douglas both had pass break ups, as did Shemar Jean-Charles and Kiondre Thomas.
There were still some misfires on offense, with Love and Myers fumbling a snap for the second time this camp. Love failed to connect with Watson on a couple of occasions, with one being an overthrow and another a miscommunication.
2-minute drill – First team offense wins
In Saturday’s competition period, Love continued his excellent day, moving the offense 74 yards in 1 minute and 40 seconds to the one yard-line.
His most impressive throw of the day was a 33-yard rope to Toure along the left sideline on third and 3, beating Douglas and Savage to the spot.
The offense wanted a touchdown on a run by Patrick Taylor, but didn’t get the call, so kicked a field goal to win the drill.
However, the second and third-string offenses, run by Danny Etling and Clifford, stalled against the respective defenses. The defense therefore once again won the competition period and that meant more up-downs for the offense to end practice.
Special teams – Carlson struggles
Rookie kicker Anders Carlson had a poor practice, going one for six on field goal attempts between 45 and 53 yards out. There was one bad hold by Pat O’Donnell.
Reed, Nixon, Toure and Goodson returned kicks and punts, while Aaron Jones took a few reps as well. Rookie Danny Whelan hit some impressive punts on Saturday.
Nixon and Ford were the starting gunners on the punt team, with Gaines and Ballentine next in line. Jean-Charles had a nice rep as a jammer versus Gaines.
There is no practice on Sunday, but the Packers will hold their first padded practice on Monday.
