GREEN BAY – As an undrafted rookie, Amar Johnson wasn't sure how many opportunities he'd get on Saturday night against the New York Jets and when he'd get them.
All the Packers running back was thinking is he better make them count.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound rookie was the silver lining on an otherwise gloomy night for the Packers, who fell 30-10 to the Jets in their preseason opener at Lambeau Field.
Johnson keyed Green Bay's only touchdown-producing drive, setting the tone with a 15-yard run and then busting a 39-yard touchdown run with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
"It's almost like a dream a little bit. Like I really did that," said Johnson, who finished with seven carries for 67 yards. "Once I got there, it was a foot race. All that hard work for a year and just gotta beat him to the pylon."
Johnson capped the touchdown with his first Lambeau Leap, which admittedly could use some work. In Johnson's defense, it came after he'd just sprinted to the end zone and unknowingly picked one of the tallest parts of the wall.
Celebration notwithstanding, Saturday was a great opportunity to show what he can do with the ball in his hands – especially with both Emanuel Wilson (knee) and MarShawn Lloyd (groin) not suiting up.
A two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection, Johnson chose to follow in the footsteps of his former South Dakota State teammate, Tucker Kraft, when he signed with the Packers after the 2025 NFL Draft.
He missed the first week of training camp with a strained hamstring but has seen his workload steadily grow since returning. Johnson also has had more chances to touch the ball.
As he tries to make a case for a roster spot, performances like Saturday night certainly don't hurt his chances.
"I feel like it's a good step headed in the right direction," Johnson said. "Obviously my name might be called a little bit more. I just gotta keep delivering, allow them to feel like they can put me out there and trust me."
Reed battling foot injury: After not practicing Thursday, Jayden Reed confirmed after the game he is dealing with a left foot injury after watching from the sideline in a walking boot.
Reed didn't offer a timeline but said the injury occured when he "cut wrong off" it in practice. Head Coach Matt LaFleur told reporters after the game he hopes the Packers will "get him back before the start of the season."
"I'm just battling a little something with my foot right now, just taking it day by day," said Reed, who was one of four receivers who didn't suit up for Green Bay. "I wouldn't really call it a setback. It's part of the game, injuries happen and I've just got to find ways to build and get back from it."
McNamee makes his debut: Mark McNamee played in his first NFL preseason game before his first official practice after flying into Green Bay at 11 p.m. Friday.
The Packers signed the Irish-born kicker last month to be their International Player Pathway Program designee, but McNamee had to wait for a visa before he could join his new team.
After getting the green light this week, McNamee was told to be ready to play and wound up handling all three kickoffs against the Jets. Back in Ireland, McNamee's family and girlfriend stayed up to watch his first NFL game.
"It's only really sinking in now," McNamee said. "I knew I had a job to do, so that was kind of my focus. I wasn't really thinking about the occasion at all, but it's unbelievable. Obviously disappointed in the result first and foremost, but to actually have suited up and played in the NFL is incredible and feels like it's the beginning, which is definitely a good moment for me and my family."
Holding pattern: While the Jets finished with more penalties and yards than Green Bay (10-91 compared to 7-64), most of the Packers' infractions were a result of holding.
It influenced Green Bay's offensive output, as the team finished with just 188 yards on 47 plays while going 1-of-10 on third down.
"You know the expectations are set," rookie tackle Anthony Belton said. "Especially just up front we always want to come off the ball, move the line of scrimmage. I feel like I was playing flat a little bit. That's kind of the biggest thing we want to show that dominance and it starts up front."
Back to business: Colby Wooden briefly considered flying back to Auburn this weekend to walk during graduation after recently completing the final three classes towards his business degree.
In the end, the third-year defensive lineman chose to stay with his teammates in Green Bay and came through against New York with six tackles (one for loss) and a deflected pass.
The school still sent Wooden his cap and gown. To commemorate the day, LaFleur and the Packers threw the former fourth-round pick a quasi-graduation ceremony. Wooden was also named one of Green Bay's three game captains.
"I ain't going to lie, that was electric," Wooden said. "I'm forever grateful to coach LaFleur for just doing that for me. I feel like that was a cool moment, especially to have my teammates embrace me. That was cool."
Two to learn from: The Packers had costly turnovers on consecutive drives in the second quarter that led to 10 points for the Jets.
First, Leonard Taylor had a strip sack of backup quarterback Malik Willis, which Jets defensive end Jay Tufele recovered in the end zone. Then, Mecole Hardman muffed a punt at the Green Bay 9 that linebacker Ja'Markis Weston pounced on.
"I was expecting a better bounce, and it bounced the wrong way and unfortunately it didn't go my way," Hardman said. "There's nothing really too much to harp on. It's preseason. It's good to get it out of the way now. Could have just let it bounce and let it (the ball) do what it was going to do."
