The Green Bay Packers are going on the road for their 10th practice of training camp in 2023. On Wednesday, Matt LaFleur’s team will take on Zac Taylor’s Bengals — now an AFC powerhouse — for a joint practice in Cincinnati.
The event will feature 11-on-11 periods and should give both the Packers and Bengals a good look at their respective rosters in a controlled but competitive environment ahead of Friday’s preseason opener at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
Packers Wire will track all the news and highlights from Wednesday’s joint practice, including LaFleur’s pre-practice press conference.
Offense comes up short in two-minute
A defeat for the Packers offense in the two-minute situation. Per Wood, Carlson’s very long kick attempt ended up short.
Anders Carlson about 2 yards short on an approximately 58-yard field goal following Jordan Love’s 2-minute still vs. Bengals defense. Kick was true…just very far.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 9, 2023
Here's the Love-to-Doubs TD
Video of the Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs touchdown pass in 11-on-11. Doubs had a step on the coverage, and Love threw a great ball.
Nice completion from Love to Doubs pic.twitter.com/6lUk26sN47
— Braydon Allen (@BraydonAllen) August 9, 2023
Jenkins is out
After being centrally involved in two different fights, Elgton Jenkins’ practice is officially over. This is the worry with joint practices. Emotion leads to fights, and fights disrupt the work.
Elgton Jenkins’ day is done after being involved in two fights. Pads are off and he’s being taken back inside.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 9, 2023
Another scrum
Elgton Jenkins was involved in another fight and has now been removed from a team drill. Per Silverstein, Jenkins took a swing at Bengals defensive lineman DJ Reader.
Jenkins at it again. This time he takes a swing at defensive tackle DJ Reader, connecting to the side of the helmet. LaFleur pulls him from the drill. https://t.co/tuTukjF7co
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 9, 2023
Highlight play from Love, Doubs
Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs for a long touchdown on third down against one of the Bengals’ starting cornerbacks:
Jordan Love drops a 51-yard TD to Romeo Doubs down right sideline on 3rd & 6 against Cam Taylor-Britt. Didn’t miss that deep ball. Let Doubs run under it, and he did the rest.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 9, 2023
More on the fight
Tom Silverstein has the details on the fight, which began with a great block from Elgton Jenkins and escalating with a punch attempt.
First fight of the #Packers–#Bengals practice. LG Elgton Jenkins dropped a Bengals LB (Germaine Pratt I think) on his butt on a screen. The LB sat down shaking his head for a bit, then got up, approached Jenkins and took a swing at him. Jenkins lunged at him and it was on.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 9, 2023
McGough to Heath
A big play produced by the Packers’ No. 3 quarterback and an undrafted free agent receiver fighting for a roster spot:
Packers QB Alex McGough with the best pass of the day so far at Packers-Bengals practice. #InStride go ball to WR Malik Heath
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 9, 2023
Fight video
Ryan Wood has video of the fight, which mostly looked like a big mass of bodies. Jon Runyan Jr. ended up on the ground.
We’ve got a scrum. Didn’t see who started it, but it escalated. pic.twitter.com/ul5K7rXekE
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 9, 2023
Can't be a joint practice without a curfuffle
Fights happen all the time at joint practices. The Packers and Bengals had one Wednesday:
🚨FIGHT🚨
Multiple swings thrown. I saw Elgton Jenkins in there. Runyan and Doubs were on the ground. Didn’t see Bengals in the mix but the skirmish lasted a while.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 9, 2023
Some good, some bad in the red zone
Jordan Love threw a touchdown pass to Christian Watson and an interception on a bubble screen during a red-zone 11-on-11 period, per Rob Demovsky:
Red zone. Love goes 4-8. Touchdown to Watson. INT by Mike Hilton who jumped a bubble screen and might have gone 90 plus the other way for a TD
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 9, 2023
More from Valentine
More good plays from rookie cornerback Carrington Valentine, who broke up two passes in a red zone period with the first-team defense:
Carrington Valentine now with two PBUs in red zone. He’s outside corner. Jaire practicing but not in team
— Wes Hodkiewicz 🌎 (@WesHod) August 9, 2023
Love opens 3-for-5
Jordan Love completed three of his first five passes during 11-on-11s. Per Wood, Love hit receiver Samori Toure, fullback Henry Pearson and receiver Christian Watson for completions.
Jordan Love opens 3-5 vs Bengals starting defense in first term period.
Hit Samori Toure on a slant, pretty fade ball to Henry Pearson down right side, crosser to Christian Watson’s.
Missed Romeo Doubs deep and Watson on a corner route.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 9, 2023
More 7-on-7 highlights (Love to Reed)
Here’s Jordan Love completing a pass to rookie Jayden Reed in 7-on-7s:
Jordan Love to Jayden Reed over the middle in 7-on-7 pic.twitter.com/qCCyXk6Umv
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 9, 2023
7-on-7 highlights!
Here’s Christian Watson running a drag route in front of a linebacker for an easy catch during 7-on-7, which is allowed to be filmed on Wednesday:
Christian Watson on a linebacker. #Packers will take that matchup. pic.twitter.com/n0Os6UaP10
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 9, 2023
Second straight practice for Gary
Rashan Gary will be on the practice field again Wednesday. He was activated from the PUP list on Monday. The Packers are taking it slow and he’ll be expected to only do individual drills in Cincinnati.
Rashan Gary practicing after being activated Monday for #Packers. No word on how soon he will move beyond individual drills. pic.twitter.com/phM8ieWUza
— Mike Spofford (@mikespofford) August 9, 2023
Deguara returns
Per Matt Schneidman, Packers fullback Josiah Deguara is returning to practice on Wednesday after missing a handful of practices, including Family Night, with a calf injury. He’ll fit right back in as the H-back in Matt LaFleur’s offense against the Bengals. Update: Deguara not participating in team periods.
Josiah Deguara is back practicing after missing the last couple days with a calf injury.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 9, 2023
David Bakhtiari in pads for practice
All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari is in pads and expected to practice against the Bengals, per Ryan Wood. Having Bakhtiari available will give the Packers the best opportunity to look at Jordan Love and the passing game in competitive periods.
David Bakhtiari just walked by on his way to the practice field wearing pads. So he appears to be practicing today.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 9, 2023
What to know from Matt LaFleur's pre-practice press conference
— On facing Bengals: Good opportunity to play one of the best teams in the NFL, good chance to see where his team is at against a great team.
— Format: Will do some 7-on-7, offensive line vs. defensive line 1-on-1s, plus unscripted “move the ball” and two-minute periods.
— On preseason playing time: Wants to see how Wednesday’s practice goes but said it’s “pretty likely” that Jordan Love and some of the first-team offense will play in the preseason opener on Friday.
— On what’s ahead: Packers will watch practice tape Wednesday night, go through it with players on Thursday and then hold a walk-through to get ready for Friday.
— On facing Cincinnati receivers: Wish Joe Burrow was out there to throw passes. Great test facing Ja’Mar Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.
