Packers injury updates before final week of training

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – With a first-round pick, two second-round picks and two more picks in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers had a chance to suddenly spice up a playoff roster.

However, injuries have left first-round pick Jordan Morgan, second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper and third-round picks MarShawn Lloyd and Ty'Ron Hopper out of action for much of training camp.

Do they need to play in Saturday's final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens so LaFleur can get a feel for whether they can contribute in the season opener on Sept. 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles?

“Yeah, obviously these are young players that haven't played yet, so you'd like to see them get in there and get some action,” LaFleur replied before Tuesday's practice. “As a young player, you never get enough reps. We'll see if they're ready. If they are, we'll see them out there.”

Here are some updates on injuries before training.

OL Jordan Morgan

The first-round pick, who missed the game against Cleveland with a shoulder injury, returned last week to participate in individual drills but did not play against Denver either.

Before his injury, Morgan was the leading right guard in the competition. Now he is tied with Sean Rhyan at best.

Morgan will again have to limit himself to individual drills on Tuesday, but could move to 11-on-11 reps for Thursday's joint practice against the Ravens.

LB Edgerrin Cooper

The second-round pick suffered a hip injury before Family Night and has not participated in any practices, only positioning himself about 40 yards behind the defense to get the best view of his assignments from a linebacker's perspective.

That will change on Tuesday when Cooper returns to individual exercises.

Although healthy, Cooper had made no progress in battling Eric Wilson for a starting spot in the defensive line.

RB MarShawn Lloyd

Lloyd, who missed the first week of training camp with a hip injury, touched the ball twice in the season opener against Cleveland before suffering a hamstring injury. He did not play in Denver and will not practice Tuesday.

The Packers hoped to use his dynamism and ability to make big plays as a change of pace alongside Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon.

CB Carrington Valentine

After missing a few weeks with a hamstring injury, Valentine returned to individual drills last week. The Packers will be pleased with his skill and grace, but he's probably missed too much time to give Eric Stokes another chance.

“No matter what happens when I get back on the field, whenever that is, it's always going to be a competition,” Valentine said last week. “The competition aspect doesn't just go away because you get hurt. Even in the film room, it's still a competition. We just have a competitive culture here. So it's just never gone.”

LB Ty’Ron Hopper

After missing the preseason opener in Cleveland, Hopper was only able to participate in position drills at Green Bay's practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Denver, he started at middle linebacker, played 51 snaps and recorded 11 tackles for the team.

“There were some moments where he showed physicality and there were some moments where he showed that he hadn't played football in a while. So I think there were a lot of good plays, but there were also some that we need to learn from and get better,” LaFleur said.

“Those game replays are so priceless, just like we talked about with all these young players, so it's been good. He hasn't played a lot of football. He's been out, so I hope to see another jump this week.”

S Kitan Oladapo

Oladapo, a fifth-round pick, missed the entire offseason and the start of training camp due to a broken toe sustained at the scouting combine. He played nine snaps on special teams against Cleveland and recorded four tackles in his debut on defense on Sunday.

“There were a lot of good moments for him,” LaFleur said. “The more he can play, the better he'll get and the faster he'll play. I thought he performed well and showed good physicality and range. I think he's still trying to get back on his feet.”

“But I'm excited about the player. I think he's shown consistent improvement every time we go out and practice, both defensively and as a team.”

RB AJ Dillon and training updates

The brief injury report was supplemented by seven people:

RB AJ Dillon (stinger), OT Andre Dillard (shoulder), TE Dyler Davis (shoulder), DT Spencer Waege (concussion), LB Ralen Goforth (concussion). DE Preston Smith was also out due to illness.

Without Dillon and Lloyd and with the release of injured rookie Jarveon Howard (ankle), the Packers are left with only Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, Ellis Merriweather and Nate McCrary.

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