Notes on injuries, the offensive line, Bo Melton and more

Mike Spofford

GREEN BAY The first practice of the Packers' 2025 training camp took place Wednesday at Nitschke Field, without pads.

Here are five things learned from opening day:

The renovated locker room with larger and more numerous video screens, electronic nameplates, more space and other amenities has certainly made an impression on the players.

"This is completely different than obviously the locker room we were in before, and it's very cool," QBJordan Lovesaid. "Very high tech, everything's very nice in here, so we're definitely blessed being in here."

It won't remain much of a topic of conversation, though, now that training camp is underway. Head Coach Matt LaFleur made sure during his initial message to the team the daily focus remains on the work everyone needs to put in.

"I think it's nice, but like I told our guys it gives us zero wins," LaFleur said. "Nothing's changing with that football field. You've got to go do it out there.

"I told them yesterday, we got all these sexy facilities, but understand there's nothing sexy about the process. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, pain to get to where you want to go. Hopefully at the end of it there's a payoff."

ReceiverChristian Watsonis not expected to practice during training camp as he continues his recovery and rehab from ACL surgery last January. Rookie seventh-round offensive linemanJohn Williamsalso could be out a while due to a back injury.

But the rest of the players currently not practicing LBQuay Walker(ankle) and OLElgton Jenkins(back), draft picks in DLCollin Oliver(hamstring) and CBMicah Robinson(knee), and undrafted rookie RBAmar Johnson(hamstring) aren't expected to be out long term.

GM Brian Gutekunst noted a few of those players may take a week or more to get medically cleared, but he made it sound as though they're expected back during camp at some point.

With Jenkins out,Sean Rhyantook the initial first-team reps at center, withJordan Morgantaking Rhyan's customary spot at right guard.Jacob Monkalso took some center snaps with the No. 1 unit, with Rhyan moving back to guard.

Repping different backups at any given spot is routine, but the hope is Jenkins can get his back injury squared away and resume working on his position switch to center. He sat out the voluntary portion of the offseason program in an effort to negotiate some changes to his contract. Gutekunst said such contract discussions are a normal part of business and when Jenkins is healthy he expects him to take the field.

Love noted he's done a fair share of work with Jenkins at center in the past, but he's looking forward to getting him back in the huddle.

"You want to be feeling as comfortable as possible and get as many banked reps in with our relationship," Love said, "and make sure there's no issues with snaps, no balls on the ground, things like that."

Morgan, a first-round pick last year, also is slated to compete withRasheed Walkerat left tackle, where Walker has started the Packers' last 35 games, including playoffs. Getting his spot thrown up for grabs may not be ideal, but as a fourth-year pro Walker is taking it in stride and remaining confident he'll be the guy.

"They don't make band-aids for feelings," he said. "It's the last year of my contract, so I'll do my best. I embrace competition. I've always had to compete. I've always been a competitor.

"I pretty much see most competition inside myself. I know who I am, I know what I'm capable of doing, and I know that I'm the one you want on your team."

Formerly No. 80 at wide receiver, Melton is now wearing No. 16 and working with the cornerbacks full time.

The switch began as an experiment in the spring, and the Packers have decided to find out how much he can develop at the new spot. Both Gutekunst and LaFleur emphasized they know what Melton can do at receiver, so this is a chance to see what more he might bring to the table, at a position where the defense's depth is very unproven.

Melton wore the No. 16 in high school and hasn't played corner regularly since his freshman year at Rutgers. His younger brother and fellow Rutgers alum Max is a cornerback with the Arizona Cardinals, and Bo worked with him some during the offseason.

"When (the change) was brought to my attention, I started working a little more, working with some DB trainers, and I feel like I'm good with the movements," Melton said. "I just have to keep indulging in the playbook."

Perhaps fittingly, the All-Pro safety who started his Packers career with interceptions in the first five games last season, made the initial big play of training camp in 11-on-11 work.

As Love tried to hitDontayvion Wickson a corner route in the back of the end zone, McKinney leaped to snag the INT, charging up the defense.

Also, one of the offense's best plays came from rookie first-round receiverMatthew Golden, who caught a TD pass fromMalik Willis, as the No. 2 QB zipped a pass into the end zone on a crossing route through traffic to hit the rookie in the chest.

There will be plenty more to come for all involved, and the Packers certainly like how their team is shaping up. But the message from Gutekunst and LaFleur is there are no shortcuts to reaching a championship level. The work won't get done by itself, and it won't get done overnight.

"Certainly these guys have the capability of turning into that," Gutekunst said. "There's no doubt that's their goal, and we're excited to get started. But there's a lot of work that has to happen before we get to that point where they're a championship-caliber team.

"I like the group, I like the way they work, the way they sacrifice, certainly got great leadership in Matt a lot of pieces that I think can turn into that, but it's going to take time."