The Green Bay Packers start their mandatory minicamp this week, from Tuesday through Thursday — even though head coach Matt LaFleur usually excuse players from the third day of practice. It’s phase 3, the final one, of the offseason program.
At this time of the year, teams are not obligated to share an injury report or disclose the reason for injuries, so the information is limited. However, there are some glimpses and nuggets from OTAs.
WR Christian Watson
Watson won’t practice, obviously, since he’s returning from an ACL injury suffered back in January. During OTAs, he was with the team for stretch periods and appeared to be moving well. Usually, the Packers give 10 months of recovery for ACL injuries, which would mean a return in early November, but Matt LaFleur seems confident that Watson could return earlier.
“Christian is doing outstanding,” LaFleur said. “I would say he’s ahead of schedule, but I’m not a doctor, I’m not medical staff. So we’ll see where he’s at.”
The most likely scenario is that Watson will start the regular season on the PUP list, which makes him miss the first four games. After that, he has a five-week window to return to practice, and as soon as the team designated him to return, he has a 21-day window to practice before the Packers have to make a final call to activate him to the 53-man roster.
RB MarShawn Lloyd
Lloyd missed almost all of his rookie season with a combination of injuries and appendicitis. The second-year running back was out in the first practice open to the media two weeks ago, but was on the field for the second one, last week.
Late last season, after he recovered from the ankle injury and from the appendicitis, Lloyd aggravated a hamstring injury he had suffered in training camp. But now it seems like he is ready to go.
“Obviously, he’s disappointed the way the year has gone for him,” said running backs coach Ben Sirmans. “But it’s almost, to a degree, like having a redshirt year from the standpoint of the time that he’s missed.”
WR Savion Williams
The rookie third-round pick spent the entirety of OTAs with a red non-contact jersey, which is unusual for non-quarterbacks. Even though the Packers did not disclose what the injury is, Matt LaFleur said he doesn’t expect other injuries (outside of Watson) to be long-term concerns.
DT Kenny Clark
Clark suffered a foot injury in Week 1 of last season in Brazil and played through it. In January, he had surgery. Last week, he did not participate in team work, but was on the field for individual drills.
“It was a tough year,” Clark revealed. “But I’m excited. I’m back out practicing, back doing indy, and just have to keep building forward.”
Other injuries
In the first week of OTAs, linebacker Quay Walker, defensive tackle Warren Brinson, edge defender Collin Oliver, defensive tackle Nesta Jade Silvera, and tight end John FitzPatrick were all with the rehab group. Oliver, Jade Silvera, and Brinson were still there last week.
Other issues
Quay Walker, cornerback Nate Hobbs, center Trey Hill, rookie guard John Williams, center Elgton Jenkins, and cornerback Tyron Herring didn’t attend the second week of OTAs. Jenkins and Herring missed the first week too, while Williams missed parts of it. Outside of Jenkins, who’s in the middle of a contract dispute, there isn’t much clarity about the absences, but the participation was voluntary. Now, for minicamp, it’s mandatory — Jenkins, for instance, is expected to attend.
