Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur laid it out plain and simple: he’s planning on playing his healthy starters, including quarterback Jordan Love, when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. This isn’t just a casual decision; it sets a tone for their preseason opener, even if LaFleur reserved the right to change his mind before kickoff. Fans are buzzing, and frankly, who wouldn’t be? Getting a look at the full squad this early is what we live for.
Big Returns and Lingering Worries on the Sidelines
We can all take a collective sigh of relief because the pass-catching crew is officially back on the field. Wide receivers Jayden Reed, who’s been dealing with an ankle issue, and Matthew Golden, who had a toe problem, both returned to practice today. And don’t forget tight end Josh Whyle, shaking off a neck injury, also joining them. Plus, cornerback Carrington Valentine, nursing a hamstring, is back out there too. That’s huge for getting the chemistry going! But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Cornerback Domani Jackson had offseason core surgery, and while LaFleur is hopeful for a “shortly” return, he’s still sidelined. He’s joined on the active injured list by running back Josh Jacobs (groin), edge defender Dani Dennis-Sutton (illness), and safety Javon Bullard (foot).
Then you’ve got the guys still stuck on the dreaded PUP list. Tight end Luke Musgrave (neck), edge rusher Micah Parsons (knee), defensive lineman Jordon Riley (ankle), and long snapper Matt Orzech (calf) are all still waiting to get back into the mix. That’s a lot of talent just watching from the sidelines. You gotta wonder how long some of those key players will be out.
Roster Shuffle and Guard Battles Heating Up
The Packers front office has been busy too, signing two new safeties, which meant some tough roster decisions. To make room, they released offensive lineman Dylan Barnhart, who spent 2025 on the practice squad, and tight end Drew Biber, a Wisconsin native they just signed last week. That’s the brutal business of the NFL right there; you blink and your spot is gone.
On the field, the right guard spot is turning into a full-blown battle. The depth chart might say Anthony Belton is the starter, but it was Jager Burton and Jacob Monk who were getting the first-look reps on Tuesday. Donovan Jennings is also in the mix, pushing hard for that spot. Belton himself has been splitting time between tackle and guard, so it’s a fluid situation. With Aaron Banks still out of team drills, this position is definitely one to watch when the Steelers bring the heat on Thursday.
And on defense, another depth chart surprise popped up. Cornerback Kamal Hadden was listed as the backup slot defender, but it was safety Kitan Oladapo who stepped in today for the injured Bullard. Oladapo was a third-stringer last year and in camp this year before a Johnathan Baldwin injury, so seeing him get those reps is a big deal.
So, the stage is set for Thursday against the Steelers. With Love and the healthy starters expected to play, everyone will be locked in to see how these guys perform and what early trends emerge. Will the offensive line sort itself out? How will the defense look with Oladapo stepping up? It’s going to be an intense opener, and we’ll be watching every snap!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Acme Packing Company.
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