Final season, cornerback Keisean Nixon made jokes about eager to get work on the offensive facet of the ball. On Day 4 of coaching camp, Nixon took a step to make {that a} actuality when he labored down on the offense’s facet of the sphere for a interval.

Questions stay about what number of hats Nixon will have the ability to put on this season, although. In 2022, Nixon dealt with a half-season of kick return duties — which he earned First-Crew All-Professional for — to associate with his second-string nickel nook position. With Eric Stokes (ankle, PUP) nonetheless off form, this has bumped Nixon into the beginning nickel job throughout camp. Not solely has Nixon been working with the kick returners this week, however he additionally has been fielding punts for the staff. That’s numerous snaps on his plate, with out ever taking part in a single rep on the offensive facet of the ball.

Past Nixon, right here’s what else occurred at observe in the present day.

Offense

In line with Pack-A-Day Podcast’s Andy Herman, rookie third-round decide Tucker Kraft bought the “beginning” nod with the first-team offense in the present day, together with fellow rookie Luke Musgrave. That is notable as Kraft labored with the second-team offense on Friday whereas Musgrave, Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis all labored with the 1s.

It’s additionally value mentioning right here that in all the Packers’ full-speed practices, the offense has come out in 12 (one again, two tight finish) personnel. Final season, Inexperienced Bay ranked third within the NFL with 37 p.c of their offensive performs being performed out of 12 personnel on first down. May we see an uptick from that quantity with a younger receiver unit and so many tight ends preventing for taking part in time? Keep tuned.

Elsewhere on the road of scrimmage, Zach Tom as soon as once more lined up at proper deal with as the first starter on the place. That’s a job Tom has held in three of the 4 practices to this point, however Yosh Nijman — the incumbent beginning proper deal with — has been working on the market, too. The X issue goes to be left deal with David Bakhtiari’s well being and, as LaFleur put it, his “modified” observe schedule.

Considerably surprisingly, recently-signed quarterback Alex McGough bought the nod over rookie fifth-round decide Sean Clifford because the Packers’ third-team quarterback, per Packers.com’s Wes Hodkiewicz. The second-string quarterback job stays within the palms of returning observe squadder Danny Etling.

All experiences on Saturday said that Jordan Love had his finest observe of coaching camp thus far. In line with The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Love went 16-of-22 on the day and carried out effectively in a two-minute drill to finish observe.

Protection

Earlier than observe, LaFleur mentioned to not make an excessive amount of of rookie first-round exterior linebacker Lukas Van Ness working with the second-team protection on the primary three days of coaching camp. LaFleur claimed that padless practices imply that there will likely be no bull-rushing of his offensive linemen, the calling card of Van Ness’ recreation.

Nonetheless, Van Ness lastly set to work with the first-team protection on Saturday, getting a couple of appears reverse of Preston Smith. Previous to in the present day, these had been snaps that principally went to Justin Hollins and Kingsley Enagbare, as Rashan Gary (PUP, knee) continues to get better from his season-ending damage.

One participant to maintain tabs on defensively is Innis Gaines, who has been working at security for the previous two seasons. Gaines noticed a couple of snaps on the defensive facet of the ball final yr as a “massive slot” when the protection determined to play a lighter field. On this first week at camp, a number of reporters noticed that Gaines has been working with the cornerback unit in observe and has been featured principally as a slot participant. Shortly, the cornerback room is changing into considered one of Inexperienced Bay’s deepest teams on the staff.

Particular Groups

In case you don’t need to hear some dangerous information, shut this text up now.

Rookie kicker Anders Carlson, who has been spectacular this offseason and even earlier in coaching camp, had a tough go of it in the present day. The sixth-round decide went considered one of six in the present day, which is dangerous irrespective of the context. With that being mentioned, Carlson was apparently kicking via some wind and at the least a kind of kicks had a messy snap-hold operation.

At present, the Packers solely roster one single kicker on their staff in comparison with two punters and two lengthy snappers. Additionally they have a roster spot open after the launch of outdoor linebacker Jonathan Garvin. Possibly it’s not too late to usher in some veteran competitors.