Packers schedule for 2024 regular season announced
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GREEN BAY – Here are three things to watch for when the Green Bay Packers face the Denver Broncos at 7 p.m. Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High:
The Packers’ number 1 offensive and defensive lineman will sit on the bench
Coach Matt LaFleur views Friday morning’s joint practice with the Broncos as a preseason game for the starters and plans not to play many of them Sunday night. Joint practice is a safer way to get the starters competitive work, even if tackling isn’t allowed. There should be plenty of physical contact. Quarterback Jordan Love, who played in every preseason game last year, will sit out this game. He has led the team to a touchdown in each of his last four games. Last year, he played 58 snaps on eight drives during preseason. Against Cleveland, he got into a series that lasted just three plays, scoring a 65-yard touchdown with receiver Dontayvion Wicks. On defense, some of the younger players competing for starting or key backup spots will likely play, including safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams and end Lukas Van Ness.
Can Emanuel Wilson take another step towards number 2?
With MarShawn Lloyd and Jarveon Howard out with injuries, AJ Dillon and Emanuel Wilson will likely share much of the running duties in the first half. Dillon didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself last week after failing to gain a lead on three plays where he needed 1 yard for a first down. Wilson took over after that and played a solid game with 13 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown. This is the second straight preseason where Wilson has looked like the better running back, and so Dillon will need to step up his game to challenge him for the backup role behind Josh Jacobs. Dillon has more experience catching blitzers and has been successful in the passing game. But he needs to show more in the running game or he could be off the roster. Lloyd’s injury was disappointing for the coaches because they wanted to see a lot more of him.
Can tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft make a splash?
Joel Wilson (three catches for 30 yards) was the only tight end to catch a ball against Cleveland. Starter Luke Musgrave played just seven snaps and backup Tucker Kraft did not play because he has not yet been cleared for full body contact. There’s a chance Kraft will be cleared after participating in a full week of team practices, and so coach Matt LaFleur may want to see what he can do with both tight ends in the game. At the end of last season, Kraft played better than Musgrave, and through four weeks of training camp, Musgrave did not have many eye-opening plays. It would not be a surprise if LaFleur puts a little more emphasis on the tight ends if both play. Kraft needs the work after missing offseason workouts and three weeks of training camp due to chest surgery.
Injury report
packer – Running backs MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Jarveon Howard (ankle), end Keshawn Banks (groin), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hip), cornerback Carrington Valentine (hamstring) and guard Jordan Morgan (shoulder) are not expected to play. Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle), guard Donovan Jennings (knee), TE Tucker Kraft (pec) and receiver Dimitri Stanley (hamstring) are questionable.
More: Here is Pete Dougherty’s early prediction for the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster
Broncos – Cornerbacks Levi Wallace (hamstring) and Art Green (concussion) are not expected to play. Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles tendon) are on the PUP list and will not play.
