GREEN BAY – Media had access to the Packers' OTA practice Tuesday, the second workout over the last two weeks that's been open to reporters.
Following practice, Head Coach Matt LaFleur and a handful of players answered questions.
Here are five things learned from the day:
- Keisean Nixon does still want to return kickoffs after all.
After the playoff loss to Philadelphia, which included a fumble by Nixon on the opening kickoff when he absorbed a wicked helmet shot, the Packers' All-Pro returner said he no longer wanted those duties.
In the months that followed, both General Manager Brian Gutekunst and LaFleur indicated Nixon's days as a returner weren't actually over, and Nixon on Tuesday admitted his comments in January were out of frustration.
"Of course, I'm open to it," he said. "I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, just me knowing who I am as a person. If the game's on the line, I'm gonna want the ball anyways."
That said, the always-confident Nixon is skeptical the kickoff rule change that moves touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35 will give him more chances to return the ball.
"They'd rather (us) get it at the 35 than give it at the 50," he said. "I think it'll be the same."
- Kenny Clark had surgery to fix the foot injury he dealt with all of last season.
Clark said he injured his right foot in the regular-season opener in Brazil – on a field that saw players losing their footing throughout the game – and just battled through it all year.
He didn't miss any games despite being listed on the injury report with a toe injury for three months. Statistically he had one of his poorest seasons, with his total tackles (37), sacks (1) and QB hits (5) his lowest since his rookie year in 2016.
"It was a tough year for me," he said. "I had surgery on my foot in January. But I'm excited … Football is football. I don't complain. I've got to just keep building off of it."
Clark is entering his 10th NFL season but still won't turn 30 until October. He's not thinking about hanging it up. The three-time Pro Bowler ranks 10th on the franchise's all-time sack list (since 1982) with 35.
"It's crazy. It's been a long road and still a lot more to go," he said. "I'm excited. I'm so excited.
"Honestly, I can't see myself putting bad stuff on tape, you know what I'm saying? Until I feel like I can't give that to the guys or I feel like I'm a step away from that, if I'm putting bad stuff on tape, then, yeah, get me out of here."
- Romeo Doubs has recovered from the concussion in the playoff game that ended his season, but it was a "long process."
Doubs' concussion in Philadelphia was his second head injury during the latter portion of the season, and while he didn't get into specifics about his recovery, he emphasized that he took it very seriously.
"Obviously it's very unfortunate to go out of a game with a concussion," he said. "I made sure I took care of myself this offseason. I just look forward to my process and progress throughout the course of this year."
He's also looking forward to seeing what rookie draft picks Matthew Golden and Savion Williams can add to the receiving corps. He's doing his best to help them along, but he sees plenty of talent.
His thought on the first-round pick, Golden: "The kid's a stud."
Doubs is making his own strong impression as well, though.
"Watching him work, he looks great out there," LaFleur said. "I don't know if you guys can tell a difference in his physique, but he does look like a specimen out there."
- The cross-training on the offensive line never stops.
With projected starting center Elgton Jenkins absent and last year's first-round pick Jordan Morgan competing for multiple starting spots, the No. 1 offensive line during OTAs has featured several moving parts as players continue to be cross-trained.
Morgan has rotated in for both Rasheed Walker at left tackle and Sean Rhyan at right guard, while Rhyan and Jacob Monk have both taken reps at center. The two spots with the least movement on the first unit have been left guard and right tackle, where free agent Aaron Banks and fourth-year pro Zach Tom, respectively, are as entrenched as it gets.
Tom has proven to be a versatile piece in his young career as well, but at this stage there's less desire to move him around.
"It just happened to be that he kind of found his home at right tackle," LaFleur said. "He's a very intelligent football player, and he's played pretty consistent over the course of the last few years."
- The offense got to celebrate at the end of practice.
The final practice period featured the No. 1 offense in the two-minute drill, down by seven points and needing a touchdown, against a combo unit on defense that featured starters in the front seven and reserves in the secondary.
QB Jordan Love was sharp and efficient, capping a successful drive with a well-thrown 30-yard TD pass to Jayden Reed in the back corner of the end zone. The offense then went for the winning two-point conversion, with Love hitting Doubs on a slant just across the goal line.
