GREEN BAY – The Packers conducted a closed practice (but open to the media) in pads on Thursday at Ray Nitschke Field.

Here are five things learned from the workout:

1. Facing blitzes is valuable work for QB Jordan Love & Co.

As new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has been installing the defense, he's been throwing an array of blitzes at Love and the first-team offense, with extra rushers coming up the middle, off the slot, or from outside corner at times.

From Love's perspective, that's just what the offense needs, as it tests the communication up front among him, relative newcomer to center Sean Rhyan and the rest of the protection unit.

"The communication is the most important part," Love said. "JG has been throwing a lot of different pressures at us, which is great. It's great work for the O-line, the running backs, everybody, quarterbacks. Just to be able to see stuff and make sure we're passing stuff off the right way."

Love also has conversations off to the side with Gannon about what he's seeing with the rush and coverage calls and whether he's figuring out the defense's disguises.

"I'll ask … what he's trying to do, or make the offense think," Love said. "But that's just how it is. You go back and forth, and it's good on good. We're trying to make each other better, obviously, all with the goal of going and playing everybody else throughout the season."

2. RB Josh Jacobs has been added to the injury list.

Jacobs has a groin injury that's not a long-term concern, but it kept him out of Thursday's practice and in all likelihood will keep him sidelined for Family Night on Friday.

RB MarShawn Lloyd took the bulk of the first-team reps in Jacobs' absence, with RB Pierre Strong Jr. also getting his share.

3. Lloyd tried out a new TD celebration – for the last time.

Catching a flare pass out of the backfield in a red-zone period, Lloyd strolled into the end zone for an easy score and then celebrated – by doing a backflip.

It's a trick he learned from an uncle when he was 6 years old, and he's been doing them for a long time, including at Love's charity softball game in Appleton this past spring.

He said the running backs were getting criticized for not doing any celebrations when they scored in practice, so it was the first thing that came to mind. But it's also the last time he'll do one.

Head Coach Matt LaFleur was seen strolling over toward Lloyd to chat with him about it afterward.

"He said it was cool, but he said let's not do that," Lloyd said, also recalling how LaFleur in a prior year put a stop to Christian Watson doing them as well. "If he says it's over, it's over."

The restriction is understandable given Lloyd's first two NFL seasons were washed out due to a litany of injuries. The 2024 draft pick is currently enjoying his longest stretch of good health as a pro, and he appreciates the organization supporting him and giving him a chance to show what he's got in Year 3.

"Now it's my time to give back," he said. "I'm excited. I'm ready to go. I'm going to show them why they picked me in the third round."

He's also grateful for the teammates who've encouraged him along the way, including Jacobs, Watson and most recently, new LB Zaire Franklin. Lloyd and Franklin are five years apart in age but they've connected over their roots, with Lloyd being from Wilmington, Del., and Franklin from the nearby Philadelphia area.

"It's not too far. We've got a lot of the same slang. We talk the same," Lloyd said. "Good having a guy like him. He brings the juice, and even like on some plays where he tackles me or hits me in the backfield, I just love the talking."

4. The offensive line continues working different combinations.

With two veteran starters up front – RT Zach Bako-Bewele and LG Aaron Banks – still not taking any 11-on-11 reps, the initial first-team offensive line Thursday featured rookie Jager Burton at left guard, Anthony Belton at right tackle and Jacob Monk at right guard.

Later on, Donovan Jennings stepped in for Burton, with the rest of the unit remaining the same. That resulted in the longest stretch in one practice so far that the right side of the O-line had Monk – who's back from January biceps injury that sidelined him all spring – at guard, and Belton – who switched from tackle to guard and started there the second half of last season – at tackle.

Monk made a strong impression when he started the Week 18 game at Minnesota last season at center and played the entire game. It was the first NFL start for the 2024 fifth-round pick (the biceps injury occurred on special teams the next week in the playoffs), and his reps in camp would indicate he's picked up where he left off.

"He continues to get better and better each and every year, each and every practice, and I thought he played well when given the opportunity, especially in that Minnesota game," LaFleur said. "He did a lot of good things, so I'm excited about just his trajectory."

5. There will be some live tackling on Family Night.

LaFleur mentioned there will be a live tackling period for young players – no veterans or starters – during Family Night. It won't be too extensive, though.

"It'll be one period, maybe like 10 plays, and we'll let them kind of get their first crack at it," he said.

The big crowd for practice is a piece to the acclimation as well.

"It's so good for our young players," LaFleur said. "It's really the first time you're in our stadium. Hopefully we get 60,000 or whatever we're going to get. But it feels more like a preseason game than a practice."