The Green Bay Packers conducted their second OTA practice open to the media of the offseason on Tuesday, and there was no shortage of takeaways to be found.
Starting with attendance and injuries, there were three Packers not practicing: Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt, and another 12 players with the rehab group, rather than participating as normal. They were:
After being with the rehab group last week, running back Damien Martinez was back practicing. Elsewhere in the running back room, Josh Jacobs was present after his recent arrest, and MarShawn Lloyd did team drills after being held out as a precaution during last week’s open practice.
The starting lineup in team drills on offense was Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Luke Musgrave and a heavily rotated group of wide receivers, with Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Jager Burton and Anthony Belton on the O-line from left to right.
Burton starting the session with the first-team offense is obviously the big story there, and he also saw snaps with the ones at left guard later, spelling Aaron Banks. This indicates the 5th round rookie, who played both center and guard in college, has impressed the coaching staff early.
His inclusion meant Darian Kinnard was bumped out of the starting lineup, although he later returned at right tackle, with Belton kicking inside to guard. When Tom is healthy, the right tackle spot will be spoken for, but perhaps a battle between Belton and Burton could be on at right guard.
John Williams, a seventh-round pick from 2025 was on the shelf for all of last season with injury, got snaps with the second-team offense at center.
While he exclusively played tackle in college, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned after drafting Williams that they believed he could play center, due in part to his football intelligence.
Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Bo Melton is back on offense full time, and he made some impressive plays throughout the day, including two deep receptions from Jordan Love, one of which went for a 50-yard touchdown.
It appeared Kyron Drones, a UDFA signing from Virginia Tech, was ahead of Kyle McCord as QB3 on Tuesday.
On defense, the headlines begin with Edgerrin Cooper lining up as an edge rusher to start team drills in a 5-man front, opposite Lukas Van Ness as the two outside linebackers. Rookie Chris McClellan started at nose tackle, with Chris Brooks and Javon Hargrave as the 3-4 defensive ends.
The other starters were Zaire Franklin at linebacker, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Javon Bullard at cornerback, and Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams at safety.
Rookie corner Brandon Cisse once again saw action with the ones, and fellow rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton was intriguingly used as a defensive tackle in an obvious passing situation with the first-team defense.
On special teams, rookie kicker Trey Smack had a rough day, going five of nine on field goal attempts, although he was kicking into a strong crosswind.
He made kicks from 33, 40, 43, 47 and 48, but missed from 35, 38, 42 and 46. Some teething problems as he learns to kick in Green Bay weather. With Skyy Moore out, Savion Williams and Jakobie Keeney-James were the first two players up as kick returners.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers OTAs notes: Jonathan Gannon tries new role for Edgerrin Cooper
Reporting by Mark Oldacres, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
