Training camp just got serious. The Packers put the pads on for the first time this summer in their fifth camp practice, in another session which was won by the defense.
Here’s everything you need to know from day five.
Attendance/injuries – Kraft returns
Tucker Kraft participated in practice after suffering a quad injury on Saturday, meaning the injury didn’t force him to miss any time, with the Packers not practicing on Sunday.
David Bakhtiari was absent, presumably due to a rest day.
Dontayvion Wicks, Grant DuBose, Rashan Gary and Eric stokes remained out with head, back, foot and knee injuries respectively.
One on ones – Melton dominates
The first one on ones of camp took place, with pass rushers and defensive linemen facing off, as well as pass catchers and defensive backs.
Zach Tom held up versus Lukas Van Ness in their battles, keeping a firm base throughout, but also had a false start.
T.J. Slaton beat Josh Myers on a pass rush, while Devonte Wyatt also won a rep.
Mammoth offensive tackle Caleb Jones impressed during his one on ones.
On the pass catching side, Christian Watson skied to make a five-yard catch over Jaire Alexander.
Rasul Douglas had a pass breakup defending Romeo Doubs and covered him successfully on the first two reps.
Jonathan Owens also had a PBU and covered Austin Allen effectively.
Jayden Reed made a great catch on an under thrown ball against Carrington Valentine, winning the battle on the final two reps. Earlier, he had got his nose in front of Valentine, but the pass was overthrown.
Keisean Nixon held off Samori Toure as a pass fell incomplete.
Tarvarius Moore had strong coverage on Luke Musgrave, with the tight end dropping a pass and Moore breaking up a deep ball.
Further down the depth chart, Bo Melton had his way with Kiondre Thomas, beating him all three times, while Shemar Jean-Charles won in coverage versus Deuce Watts.
Malik Heath had a quick win versus Innis Gaines for a completion, and Tucker Kraft climbed highest to catch a pass above Anthony Johnson Jr.
Jordan Love unfurled two accurate deep passes during the one on ones, the first to Kraft as he beat Johnson Jr., and the second on Melton’s final win against Thomas.
Depth chart – Newman gets first-team reps
The starting offense to open the team period was: Jordan Love, Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Luke Musgrave, Yosh Nijman, Elton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Zach Tom.
The defense: T.J. Slaton, Kenny Clark, Justin Hollins, Quay Walker, De’Vondre Campbell, Preston Smith, Rasul Douglas, Jaire Alexander, Keisean Nixon, Rudy Ford, Darnell Savage.
Royce Newman got some reps with the ones during the team period for the first time this summer, lining up at both right and left guard, spelling Jenkins and Runyan.
Team period – Love’s best throw of camp?
It was an inauspicious start for the offense, with Dillon putting the ball on the ground on the first snap of the team period. The Packers offense has had some issues with this so far in camp, after Love and Myers fumbled two snap exchanges in the first four practices.
Love showed his grasp of the offense as he checked out of a run play and hit Watson on a slant for around 10 yards.
Musgrave was used as a wide receiver as the Packers look to make use of the tight end’s freaky athleticism, and Love found him on a crosser over the middle.
Love later launched what would’ve been a 60-plus-yard touchdown pass to Watson, who beat Innis Gaines on a go route down the right sideline. The pass was perfectly thrown and hit Watson right in stride.
Green Bay’s 2022 first-round picks made some noise, as Walker shut down an inside run by Jones and Wyatt drew a hold from Jenkins on a pass rush.
With the second team, Valentine had an early pick six off Danny Etling, as the seventh-round pick continued his strong start to camp. He beat Heath to the ball which was easy to read and poorly thrown.
Etling responded quickly with a deep corner pass to Reed for a big gain. Tyler Davis held off Van Ness just long enough for Etling to get the pass off.
Tyler Goodson burst forward for a chunk of yardage on a run off right tackle, but fellow running back Lew Nichols struggled with his hands, dropping two passes, one in individual drills and another during the team period.
Karl Brooks had a ‘sack’ of Sean Clifford, quickly breaking through the line of scrimmage. He shot into the backfield again later, forcing Goodson to bounce a run outside.
Clifford showed some athleticism, keeping the ball on a read option and scooting outside past Van Ness to pick up yardage.
Two-minute drill – Love’s worst throw of camp
Love followed up what might have been his best pass of camp in the team period with arguably his worst, throwing a ball right to Walker in zone coverage on the first play of two-minute.
Fortunately for him, Walker dropped what should’ve been a pick, and Love responded with a dime to Reed while rolling out to his right on fourth and six. Reed couldn’t hold onto the pass against Nixon though, and the offense stalled. Love’s only completion on the four-and-out was a four-yard pass to Jones.
On the final play of the third-team two-minute drill, the Packers defense sent only one rusher, with Slaton getting push up the middle. Clifford’s pass fell incomplete and the defense won the drill. The rookie QB had fired a nice 20-yard pass to Jadakis Bonds earlier in the drive.
With the defense winning the competition period, the offense were once again faced with a forfeit. Monday’s punishment was 20 push ups.
Special teams – O’Donnell struggles
Veteran punter Pat O’Donnell saw one of his punts blocked and was less successful in general than in previous practices, averaging 4.14 seconds of hang time on the 10 punts which weren’t blocked.
Doubs, Jones, Reed, Toure and Watson got reps as kick returners, while Reed, Toure and Nixon worked as punt returners.
Check back after every Packers training camp practice for a full recap.
