GREEN BAY – The preseason is here, and the Packers open their August game slate by hosting the Jets on Saturday night at Lambeau Field.
Here's what to watch for as the preseason kicks off:
The starters might get some action.
Nothing's been officially announced, but all signs and comments point to the Packers' healthy starters taking some snaps. How many remains to be seen.
Starters or regulars who have been injured and aren't likely to play include S Xavier McKinney (calf), CB Nate Hobbs (knee), LT Rasheed Walker (groin) and WR Dontayvion Wicks (calf). Also, offensive linemen Elgton Jenkins and Aaron Banks have dealt with back injuries during camp, and WR Jayden Reed has been in and out of practice with a foot injury, so their status for the game isn't known.
Last year, when the starting offense took the field for the preseason opener in Cleveland, QB Jordan Love promptly threw a long TD pass to Wicks, and that was it. So if all goes well, it could be a quick cameo again.
Matthew Golden will make his Packers debut.
The first-round receiver has been a regular presence at practice, making a number of impressive plays, and this first preseason game will be another step on his rookie journey.
As fast as Golden is, perhaps his hands have been his most notable attribute thus far, as he's failed to catch only one pass that he got his hands on, by unofficial count. His diving, two-handed snag of a fastball from Love, while still getting his feet down in the back of the end zone, was a highlight of Thursday's practice.
Left tackle is a position to monitor.
Last year's first-round draft pick, Jordan Morgan, likely will start at left tackle due to Walker's injury, and it will be Morgan's first NFL game action at that position.
A multi-year starter at left tackle in college, Morgan's only game action as a rookie in 2024 came at right guard in a rotation with Sean Rhyan before a shoulder injury cut his season short.
The coaches have declared left tackle an open competition between Walker and Morgan, and Saturday's debut may show whether the second-year pro Morgan has a chance to unseat the two-year starter Walker.
Bo Melton will take another step in his transition.
The receiver-turned-cornerback is looking forward to his first game action at his new position, and his bid to make the roster at corner isn't some training camp sideshow. It's legit.
In Thursday's practice in the secondary, with McKinney and Hobbs out, Javon Bullard playing deep safety, and Keisean Nixon not taking 11-on-11 reps, it was Melton lined up opposite Carrington Valentine with the No. 1 defense.
Melton has been a factor on the practice field, and if his solid play can transfer to the preseason games, he may be on his way to the 53-man roster at a brand new spot.
Opportunity abounds at running back.
With MarShawn Lloyd (groin) and Emanuel Wilson (knee) sidelined, and Josh Jacobs not expected to play much, the rest of the healthy running backs should get plenty of snaps.
Chris Brooks has currently been running as Jacobs' top backup, while recent pickup Israel Abanikanda has seen a few snaps with the first unit. Amar Johnson and Jalen White should get their chances to run the ball, too.
Others will be looking to build on their camp showings.
Safety Omar Brown had three interceptions on Family Night. Receivers Mecole Hardman and rookie Savion Williams have flashed, as has tight end John FitzPatrick in the passing game.
On defense, Brenton Cox Jr. and Barryn Sorrell have shown up in the pass rush regularly, while former Georgia teammates on the defensive line – Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse – have made their presence felt, too.
Second-year LB Ty'Ron Hopper packs a punch and will finally get to tackle for real, while the CB competition amongst seventh-round picks Kalen King and Micah Robinson, along with returnee Corey Ballentine and others, ratchets up a notch.
