Packers Practice Notebook, August 19th: Jets joint practice #2, Jordan Love update

“I don’t want to rule him out yet, but I would say it’s probably unlikely,” said head coach Matt LaFleur on Jordan Love’s status vs the Jets.

Today not only ends the New York Jets’ two-day stretch of joint practices in Green Bay but also the Packers’ summer practices that are open to the public. Before practice, head coach Matt LaFleur gave praise to a young offensive lineman and gave an update on quarterback Jordan Love’s shoulder injury. A major injury in practice today to a Jet may set back New York’s season, but the Packers have been able to make it through their joint practices relatively healthy.

Pre-Practice Presser: head coach Matt LaFleur

• Some of the hottest seats in the starting lineup this week are on the offensive line after the group failed to meet expectations against the Texans, despite the fact that the interior offensive line was essentially the only “starting” unit to see the field. Royce Newman, who was with the second-team against the Texans, earned some praise from head coach Matt LaFleur, though, after seeing time with the first-team in yesterday’s practice. LaFleur stated, “I thought Royce [Newman] did a really nice job yesterday. He’ll get the opportunity to start on Saturday.”
• Quarterback Jordan Love’s injury is the biggest story of the week in Green Bay. LaFleur updated his status, saying, “I don’t want to rule him out yet, but I would say it’s probably unlikely” that Love would start against the Jets on Saturday.

Practice

• DL Dean Lowry returned to practice today after missing yesterday’s joint practice. DL Tyler Lancaster and pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith weren’t practicing today after participating yesterday. WR Devin Funchess and OT Dennis Kelly, who were injured at practice yesterday, did not make it back to drills today. QB Jordan Love, S Vernon Scott, and WRs Juwann Winfree and Chris Blair are still injured and missing from practice.
• It’s worth noting that Packers.com’s Wes Hodkiewicz mentioned that coming to the field but not practicing is usually an indication that a player will practice the next day. Devin Funchess and Dennis Kelly, yesterday’s injuries, fit that mold today.

• After playing second-team center yesterday, Lucas Patrick, who started at guard in the preseason’s Week 1 against the Houston Texans, returned to the starting lineup as the team’s left guard. Royce Newman, the rookie right guard, has registered back-to-back days with the starting squad after playing with the second team in Week 1.

• With Patrick playing guard today, Jake Hanson returned to his natural center position. Ben Braden, who has seen playing time this summer from left tackle to guard, was Dennis Kelly’s replacement as the team’s second-team right tackle.

• Unfortunately, Jets pass-rusher Carl Lawson was carted off the field for what seems to be an Achilles injury. He was the Jets’ splash free-agent signing on the defensive side, looking to lead New York’s pass-rush during the scheme change under head coach Robert Saleh.

Post-Practice Presser: WR Davante Adams