Packers Training Camp Practice News and Notes, 7/31: Carrington Valentine shines

Cornerback Carrington Valentine has recorded three interceptions so far in training camp.

Thursday marked the Green Bay Packers’ second-to-last practice before Family Night on Saturday, when we’ll all get the opportunity to watch Green Bay’s players with our own eyes. The Packers’ social channels have been hinting that they’ll be streaming the practice, as they did last year for the first time for out-of-market fans.

So what does the team look like going into Family Night on Saturday? Here’s your look into practice today.

Participation

Receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf), receiver Savion Williams (concussion) and guard Aaron Banks (back) returned to practice on Thursday. This leaves only running back MarShawn Lloyd (groin), receiver Christian Watson (knee), offensive lineman John Williams (back) defensive end Collin Oliver (hamstring) as the non-participants in practice.

In the pre-camp press conference, the Packers claimed that the only multi-week injuries they expected in early camp were to Watson and Williams, both players who are on the physically unable to perform list. So far, besides Oliver, that has held true. Hopefully, we get a look at Oliver soon.

Head coach Matt LaFleur said that Lloyd, who got hurt in practice earlier this week, will not return to the field this week, but it’s not expected to be a long-term injury for the back. That’s semi-positive news, at least.

Wicks was a participant in walkthroughs, but was seen riding the bike during team drills, along with receiver Jayden Reed, according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. He also said that Watson “is cutting pretty sharply and running quite fast” in the rehab group.

Offense

With the offensive line finally healthy, the first-look lineup (left to right) was made up of Rasheed Walker, Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom. A player who got significant playing time with the first-team unit today, though, was Jordan Morgan as a left tackle. Due to injuries up front, Morgan had spent most of camp playing one of the guard positions.

Coming into camp, the Packers stated that there was an open competition at left tackle. Up until today, their actions hadn’t backed that up — in part due to injury. Maybe we’re about to see that competition ramp up now that Banks and Jenkins are back full-time. Just yesterday, offensive coordinator and former offensive line coach Adam Stenavich stated that Green Bay’s offensive line battle could carry into the regular season, with the team potentially playing as many as six or seven players this year.

The second-team line today was Morgan, Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk, Kadeem Telfort and Anthony Belton. That’s a bit of a surprise, considering that Travis Glover was getting first-team reps earlier in camp. Ultimately, there will probably be one roster spot up for grabs on the 53-man roster for Jennings, Telfort and Glover to earn this summer.

Quarterback Jordan Love threw one of his better passes in camp today, per the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood. The 15-yard throw to tight end Luke Musgrave was threaded between safety Xavier McKinney and cornerback Carrington Valentine on the sideline.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the Packers are still running the zone read when Malik Willis is under center, according to Packers.com’s Weston Hodkiewicz. Expect the quarterback run game to come alive again, if Love should ever have to miss time in 2025.

Defense

From a lineup standpoint, Lukas Van Ness continues to earn first-look opportunities at defensive end, and Evan Williams is getting the nod at safety. With linebacker Quay Walker still missing team drills, Isaiah Simmons is still leading over 2024 third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper on the depth chart in three-linebacker sets.

At this point, the only question on the defensive side is whether it’s going to be Javon Bullard or Carrington Valentine on the bench come Week 1. If Bullard earns a “starting” job, it’ll probably come as a slot defender, which would keep Nate Hobbs outside in nickel sets. If it’s Valentine, Hobbs will kick inside in nickel looks.

The bad news for Bullard? Valentine keeps making plays. With today’s interception of Willis, Valentine is already up to three interceptions in training camp. There’s a real possibility that Bullard, a second-year second-round pick, ends up on the bench if Valentine continues to stand out.

The defense continues to beat the offense in competitive periods, which has been common after the offense’s win on the first day of camp. Remember, defenses are usually ahead, due to offenses needing more chemistry as a unit. In the two-minute drill period, the defense won all three series against the offense.

Special Teams

Breaking news: Brandon McManus finally missed. He sent one wide right from 49 yards with the wind coming at him. He still managed to go five of six with multiple 50-yarders made. So far, he’s 28 of 29 in camp.