The first practice as the 2019 Green Bay Packers took place Sunday afternoon on Clarke Hinkle Field.
It was a helmets and shorts workout to begin their preparations for the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field on Thursday night.
Three players who had been missing in action were back. Kevin King, out since August 2 with a hamstring injury returned. Jimmy Graham was back at work after allowing several days to let a dislocated finger get better and Cole Madison also returned.
Two players, other than the quarterbacks, donned red jerseys. Ka’Dar Hollman and James Crawford were in the do not hit club.
The only two rostered players who did not work were Oren Burks, carried active despite his healing pectoral muscle injury and wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, the free agent rookie and feel good story of the final roster cuts. Shepherd wasn’t seen on the practice field during the time reporters were allowed to watch.
Also noticed a number change. First round pick Darnell Savage has given up on number 26.
(Darnell Savage sporting his new, number 21 jersey)
Savage is replacing last year’s opening day starter at safety, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and he’ll be sporting his old number to boot. Clinton-Dix of course, was traded to Washington last season and signed with guess who, the Chicago Bears, as a free agent this spring.
We’ll find out Thursday night who got the better of the 21 shuffle.
The Packers filled out their ten man practice squad on Sunday and all 10 signed by Brian Gutekunst were with the team during training camp and the pre-season.
The opening practice squad includes: TE Evan Baylis, RB Tra Carson, CB Kabian Ento, WR Allen Lazard, DL James Looney, OT Yosh Nijman, LB Randy Ramsey, LB Brady Sheldon, WR Malik Taylor and QB Manny Wilkins.
