The Green 19 podcast examines where the Packers stand after Family Night
The Packers are healthy, position battles are rare, and there is talent in every room. Sounds great! Did we miss something?
GREEN BAY – Here are three things to watch for when the Green Bay Packers visit the Cleveland Browns for their season opener on Saturday at 3:25 p.m.
Jordan Love will play, but DeShaun Watson will not
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said this week that he and Matt LaFleur spoke during the week and agreed to let their starters play about a dozen times. While LaFleur will use quarterback Jordan Love, Stefanski is holding back starter DeShaun Watson, who is recovering from a serious shoulder injury that ended his 2023 season. A year ago, LaFleur had Love play in all three preseason games. He had him play 12 snaps (two drives) in the opening game, 17 plays in the second game and 29 plays in the final game. LaFleur will not use right tackle Zach Tom, who is close to being cleared for live action after a week of participating in 11-on-11 drills, so he will likely play with veteran Andre Dillard to ensure Love is protected when he is in the game.
The kick competition is getting tougher, now the third player is also in the game
After signing promising Alex Hale this week, the Packers now have three kickers to handle their in-game duties. Accuracy on field goals is the most important thing, but the ability to place kickoffs in the right spot will also be crucial. Generally speaking, teams want to get the ball high and land between the goal line and the 20-yard line. The new kickoff rules penalize teams that kick the ball in or out of the end zone by allowing the returning team to receive the ball at the 30-yard line. The lineup is dramatically different, with most players lined up 5 yards apart in the returning team’s territory. Kicks will come from the same 35-yard line as before. It’s unclear how LaFleur plans to rotate the kickers, but it’s likely Hale will get some opportunities so the Packers can see what he can do.
Will one of the rookie safeties defeat Keisean Nixon in the battle for the nickel corner position?
Lately, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has been using rookie safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams at the nickel slot. Keisean Nixon typically plays with the No. 1 players, but Bullard has been spending more and more time there and Williams has gotten some chances as well. Bullard played some nickel for Georgia and has shown in practice that he can hang with wide receivers, not unlike Detroit safety Brian Branch, a 2023 second-round pick, last year. Bullard and Williams bring more size to the position, meaning they can be assets to the run defense. By using them at the nickel position, Hafley can also get both rookies on the field. Bullard looks to be able to add some firepower to the defense with his power, and Williams leads the team in training camp with four interceptions.
Injury report
Players who are out or may not play include:
∎ packer – Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle), cornerback Carrington Valentine (thigh), end Deslin Alexandre (leg), end Keshawn Banks (groin), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip), guard Donovan Jennings (knee), guard Jordan Morgan (shoulder), receiver Dimitri Stanley (thigh).
∎ Shades of brown – Defensive end Za’Darius Smith (knee), wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (unknown), linebacker Tony Fields (leg), defensive tackle Shelby Harris (unknown), linebacker Jordan Hicks (unknown).
Here’s how you can watch: Because of the Olympic Games, the Packers’ TV channel will change for the first preseason game against the Browns in Milwaukee and Green Bay
Additionally, cornerback Greg Newsome and running back Nyheim Hines are on the non-football injured list. Tackle Jedrick Wills, tackle Jack Conklin, running back Nick Chubb, safety D’Anthony Bell and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson are on the physically unable to perform list.
