Packers training camp highlights from Wednesday's practice; Christian Watson injury scare, Alex Hale joins kicking battle: Recap (2024)

Packers training camp highlights from Wednesday's practice; Christian Watson injury scare, Alex Hale joins kicking battle: Recap (1)

Packers training camp highlights from Wednesday's practice; Christian Watson injury scare, Alex Hale joins kicking battle: Recap (2)

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The Green Bay Packers returned to Ray Nitschke Field for practice Wednesday in the third week of training camp.

Their practice Wednesday morning was the second of just two open practices in a week that ends with their first preseason game Saturday afternoon in Cleveland against the Browns.

Among the key takeaways: Christian Watson had an injury scare, safeties Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams each hauled in interceptions and the kicking battle added a new member.

Take a look back at all the highlights and observations from practice below:

Rookie safety Evan Williams makes impressive interception

Rookie Evan Williams continues to show that he belongs.

Lost in all the Christian Watson injury scare was another interception by Williams. Love underthrew Watson slightly on the deep crossing route, but Williams dove high into the air to grab it.

The Packers selected the Oregon safety in the fourth round (No. 111) of the draft this spring.

-- Tom Silverstein

Christian Watson down in the end zone but it doesn't appear to be serious

Players are gathered around receiver Christian Watson, who is down in the end zone after safety Evan Williams intercepted Jordan Love at the end of a 2-minute drill.

Watson had been down for awhile, but he returned to his feet and is walking on his own. He’s meeting with receivers and appears to be OK. Watson appeared to have injured his left hip. There aren't any trainers working on him as the players scattered after practice.

Watson gave the thumbs up to reporters as he headed off the practice field.

The Packers' 2022 second-round pick has had an injury-plagued start to his NFL career, mostly battling hamstring ailments in his first two seasons. He learned during his visit with specialists in the offseason that his left leg was 20% stronger than his right. Since then, he's been working on improving the strength of his right leg.

-- Tom Silverstein

Alex Hale misses his first kick during his first practice

New Packers kicker Alex Hale is 5 for 6 on the day after the second set of kicks.During the most recent three kicks, he made an extra point and 40-yard kick but missed from 45 yards.

Hale, an undrafted free agent who played last year at Oklahoma State, just joined camp to compete with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph.

-- Ryan Wood

Jordan Love and Romeo Doubs connect for touchdown

This time, Jordan Love and the offense got the better of Xavier McKinney.

Romeo Doubs just toasted Xavier McKinney on an out route into the end zone, and Jordan Love didn't miss. He connected with Doubs on a 9-yard touchdown on first-and-goal from the 9.

-- Ryan Wood

Xavier McKinney picks off Jordan Love

The Packers defense makes a big play. Safety Xavier McKinney picked off quarterback Jordan Love’s throw down the middle to tight end Luke Musgrave.It was third and 8 at the opposing team’s 35-yard line. Love was pressured and threw above Musgrave’s head.

McKinney, 24, was one of the Packers' biggest offseason acquisitions. He's leading a young and remade safety room.

-- Tom Silverstein

Jordan Love works on agility drills

Even while Jordan Love was having a superb season, he often threw off his back foot or while falling back.

As a result, the Packers quarterback spent the offseason working with his longtime throwing coach on his footwork.

His improved footwork was on display during an event last month in Texas and again during Wednesday's practice.

-- Chris Kuhagen

Packers wide receiver Malik Heath banged up but returns to practice

Wide receiver Malik Heath got hurt after getting tangled up with two other players while blocking but later returned to practice and took part in 11-on-11 and caught a pass.

Heath had stayed down for several minutes when he got banged up.

Heath walked off on his own and shared a laugh with some teammates. However, he wasn’t initially putting a lot of weight on his right leg.

Heath had 15 receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown during his rookie season last year, playing alongside many other talented young wide receivers. The Packers signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

-- Tom Silverstein

Packers tight end Tucker Kraft getting up to speed

Tucker Kraft returned from the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday and he's now looking to make up for lost time.

The tight end needed surgery a few months ago to repair a torn pec suffered during a weightlifting session this offseason. That forced him to watch from the sidelines throughout the offseason program.

It wasn't the smoothest first practice for Kraft but so far he's focused during Wednesday's practice.

-- Chris Kuhagen

Watch Jordan Love highlights

Jayden Reed not practicing today

Wide receiver Jayden Reed is not practicing due to a calf injury.

The second-year wideout missed the first two days of training camp practices last month with a turf toe injury after stubbing his toe at his youth football camp in June.

-- Tom Silverstein and Ryan Wood

Packers injury report

Returned

  • DE Kingsley Enagbare (hamstring)

New out

  • WR Jayden Reed (calf)
  • OL Jordan Morgan (shoulder)

Still out

  • WR DimitriStanley (hamstring)
  • CB Carrington Valentine (hamstring)
  • DE DeslinAlexandre (lower leg)
  • DE Keshawn Banks (groin)
  • LB Edgerrin Cooper (hip)
  • OL Donovan Jennings (knee)

Packers sign kicker Alex Hale to compete with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph

The Packers have brought a third kicker into camp to compete with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph.

Alex Hale, who kicked last season in college at Oklahoma State, has signed with the Packers.

Carlson is 36 for 46 on kicks during training camp, while Joseph is 40 for 46. Both Carlson and Joseph struggled Tuesday during the windy conditions. Head coach Matt LaFleur said it felt "like kicking in a tornado."

Carlson is looking to hold onto the job following a rough rookie season, in which he led the NFL in missed kicks. The Packers signed Joseph, a five-year NFL veteran, in the offseason. He kicked the last three years with the Minnesota Vikings.

Hale is an undraftedfree agent who grew up in Australia. He hit 27 of 34 field goals and 36 of 39 extra points his senior year.

-- Ryan Wood, Tom Silverstein and Chris Kuhagen

Packers sign Brevin Allen and Zach Morton, release two players

The Packers have signed defensive linemen Brevin Allen and Zach Morton and released cornerback Don Callis and receiver Rory Starkey.

-- Tom Silverstein

Jordan Morgan injury update

It will be at least another week before theGreen Bay Packershave theirpreferred starting offensive lineon the field.

The Packers will be withoutrookie Jordan Morganafter he dropped out of Tuesday’s practice with a shoulder injury, coach Matt LaFleur said. The first-round draft pick had entrenched himself as the Packersstarting right guard.

“It’s nothing long term,” LaFleur said. “He’ll be out for – it’s nothing long term – but he’ll be out probably for a week or so.”

Read more about the injury and the offensive line here.

-- Ryan Wood

Matt LaFleur press conference at Packers training camp

What time is Packers' training camp practice today?

The Packers take the field at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ray Nitschke Field. There is no cost to attend.

More: Green Bay Packers training camp schedule for Wednesday, Aug. 7. Here's what you need to know.

Packers training camp practice schedule

  • Aug. 7:Open practices, 10:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 13-14:Open practices, 10:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 20:Open practice, 10:30 a.m.
  • Aug. 22:Joint practice with Baltimore Ravens, 10:30 a.m.

Packers news and rumors

  • Daniel Whelan, playing a big role in kicker battle, also booming punts in camp
  • For Packers running back AJ Dillon and wife Gabrielle, giving back is their passion project
  • Zach Tom’s return makes a difference, plus other takeaways from Packers practice Tuesday

Jordan Love news

  • Jordan Love accepts preseason snaps entering second season, hopes exposure is brief
  • Matt LaFleur says starters will play in preseason opener, including Jordan Love

Packers roster 2024

Packers preseason schedule

  • Aug. 10:at Cleveland Browns, 3:25 p.m.
  • Aug. 18:at Denver Broncos, 7 p.m.
  • Aug. 24:Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field, noon

Green Bay Packers schedule 2024

Home games in bold

  • Sept. 6, 7:15 p.m., at Philadelphia Eagles, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Sept. 15, noon, vs. Indianapolis Colts
  • Sept. 22, noon, at Tennessee Titans
  • Sept. 29, noon, vs. Minnesota Vikings
  • Oct. 6, 3:25 p.m., at. Los Angeles Rams
  • Oct. 13, noon, vs. Arizona Cardinals
  • Oct. 20, noon, vs. Houston Texans
  • Oct. 27, noon, at Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Nov. 3, 3:25 p.m., vs. Detroit Lions
  • Nov. 10, Bye week
  • Nov. 17, noon, at Chicago Bears
  • Nov. 24, 3:25 p.m., vs. San Francisco 49ers
  • Nov. 28, 7:20 p.m., vs. Miami Dolphins (Thanksgiving)
  • Dec. 5, 7:15 p.m., at Detroit Lions, Detroit (Thursday Night Football)
  • Dec. 15, 7:20 p.m., at Seattle Seahawks, Seattle (Sunday Night Football)
  • Dec. 23, 7:15 p.m., vs. New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
  • Dec. 29, noon, at Minnesota Vikings
  • Jan. 4-5, vs. Chicago Bears, Lambeau Field, date and time to be determined
Packers training camp highlights from Wednesday's practice; Christian Watson injury scare, Alex Hale joins kicking battle: Recap (2024)
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