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Packers sleepwalk their way to 4-point win over Jacksonville (AUDIO)

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Matt LaFleur

The Green Bay Packers went to bed Sunday night with a 7-2 record through the first nine games of the NFL season, but easily could have gone the other way.  After losing to the 1-win Vikings at home two weeks ago, the Packers were facing a 1-win Jacksonville Jaguar team that had the Packers on the ropes until the very end.  The defense got a late stop and the Packers prevailed 24-20.

The Jaguars had the ball at the Packers’ 36 yard line with 1:37 to play with a chance to score a go-ahead touchdown.  This time, the Packers suspect defense clamped down and came up with a huge stop to preserve the victory.  Rashon Gary and Preston Smith came up with key sacks on that final drive to end Jacksonville’s comeback efforts, sending the Jaguars (1-8) home with their eighth straight loss.

Aaron Rodgers passed for 325 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, but the Packers quarterback also threw [Read more…]

Packers matchup with 49ers could face COVID obstacle

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The Green Bay Packers are getting ready to leave for California in a few hours, but whether or not that game against the 49ers on Thursday night gets played is up in the air..

The Packers lost rookie AJ Dillon to a positive COVID-19 test on Monday and running back Jamaal Williams and rookie linebacker Kamal Martin were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list after contact tracing determined they were both high risk.

The game remained a go because the Packers haven’t had any additional positive tests this week.

Now, the 49ers have closed their facilities on Wednesday as a precaution after wide receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for COVID on Wednesday.  Contact tracing is underway to see if the virus’s spread is contained to Bourne, or if it reaches additional players.

That may not be known until Thursday, at which time the Packers will have already arrived in California.

Packers still on for Thursday against 49ers

By

Matt LaFleur

As of late Monday, the Green Bay Packers game on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers is still on, despite Packers rookie running back AJ Dillon being ruled out of the game after a positive COVID-19 test on Monday.

Dillon is the Packers second-round draft pick.  He played 10 snaps on offense and seven more on special teams in Sunday’s 28-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

At his Zoom meeting with reporters on Monday, coach Matt LaFleur said he is operating under the assumption that Thursday’s game at San Francisco will be played.

“All indications point toward us playing on Thursday night,” LaFleur said.  “I think the league has confidence that we’ve [Read more…]

Broncos RB Gordon cited for DUI, facing potential league discipline

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Melvin Gordon (25) file photo

Former Wisconsin Badger and current Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon could be facing NFL discipline after he was cited late Tuesday for driving under the influence.

ESPN.com reports Gordon was also cited for speeding, between 25 and 39 mph over the posted limit, in downtown Denver.

Gordon was taking part in meetings on Wednesday morning, when players returned to start preparing for this weeks game at New England.

Gordon signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Broncos during the offseason.  He leads the Broncos with 281 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.  He also leads the team in carries with 65.

Broncos players had the last three days off after their game against the New England Patriots, originally scheduled for this past Sunday, then postponed one day, was moved to this coming Sunday.  Gordon, along with several teammates, voiced their displeasure on social media over losing their bye week after a New England player tested positive for COVID-19.

Gordon played for the Badgers from 2011 through 2014.  He has a November 13th court date set.

Crosby feeling good after COVID quarantine (AUDIO)

By

Mason Crosby

The start of 2020 training camp for Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby was delayed after his second COVID-19 test came up positive.  But Crosby told reporters on Monday that his symptoms were very mild.  He waited 10-days (protocol time period) to get back and he feels as strong as ever.

Crosby said he was surprised to test positive given his relative lack of symptoms.  He said he socially distanced this offseason, limiting his interactions to his family.

Crosby is entering his 14th NFL season and said he’s feeling great coming out of COVID.  He turns 36 in September, but age hasn’t slowed him down a bit.

Crosby signed a three-year contract worth $12.9 million with the Packers during the offseason.  It made Crosby the third highest paid kicker in the league. [Read more…]

Packers among those affected by COVID testing issues

By

Matt LaFleur

The Green Bay Packers were one of 11 teams that had players test positive for COVID-19 after hearing from results out of a lab in New Jersey.  But the Packers administered Rapid Tests to those affected and they came back negative Sunday, allowing the team to practice.

“That definitely came into play for us (Sunday) morning, and you know, we only had a couple guys that was affecting, so we felt like we could still go out there and run practice,” said coach Matt LaFleur.  “But it certainly crossed our mind.

“And the other thing is, we never want to put our guys at risk.  One practice isn’t worth it if we really, truly felt like this was a serious problem within our football team in terms of a bunch of guys testing positive.  So, you know, if we ever got into that situation where we thought it was a real thing, definitely cancel the practice.” [Read more…]

Packers add WR Turner to the mix

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After losing veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess (opt out) for the the upcoming 2020 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers announced the signing of wide receiver Malik Turner on Wednesday.

Turner has 17 catches for 265 yards and a touchdown over two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.

Turner originally signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2018 out of Illinois.  He spent some time on the Seahawks practice squad but played in 21 NFL games with three starts.

Turner will wear No. 82 for the Packers.

Packers WR Funchess opts out of 2020 season

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The Green Bay Packers decided not to dive into the wide receiver position during the NFL Draft.  Instead they signed veteran free agent Devin Funchess to provide some depth to the position.

But that option is now on the backburner after Funchess used the COVID-19 opt-out option available to NFL players under the collective bargaining agreement.

On his Instagram account, Funchess wrote “Family is first.”

“My closest family members have experienced the life-threatening impact of COVID-19 first hand and for their and my own safety, I’ve decided to opt out of the upcoming NFL season.  This was not a decision I took lightly but it’s what is best for my family and myself at this time. [Read more…]

Packers are finalists to host 2024 NFL Draft (AUDIO)

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Mark Murphy

Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said Thursday the team is one of three NFL franchises in the running to host the 2024 NFL Draft.

Murphy met virtually with reporters following the teams annual shareholders meeting on Thursday.

“I feel confident,” said Murphy.  “I think we’ll be able to make a really strong case.”

“The new Resch Expo will be really helpful to us in that effort, as well as Titletown.  By 2024, Titletown is going to look a lot different than it doesn now and be even more attractive as a destination.”

Reach Expo, which is a new exhibit center to the East of Lambeau Field.  It is set to be completed early next year (2021).

Murphy also told reporters that the Packers will apply to host a Big 10 championship game between 2023 [Read more…]

Packers preseason schedule cut in half

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NFL Training Camp start dates haven’t changed, but the number of preseason games on the schedule has.

The NFL will trim two preseason games off of its schedule, as first reported by ProFootballTalk.com.  A ESPN report said the first and fourth games of the preseason schedule will be eliminated, allowing teams more practice time for their players after missing offseason OTA’s and minicamps.

The Green Bay Packers were scheduled to open the exhibition season at home on August 15th against the Arizona Cardinals and were set to wrap up the preseason on September 3 at Kansas City against the Chiefs.  Those games are now off the schedule.

The Packers two remaining games will be a home game, August 22 against the Cleveland Browns, followed by a trip to New York to face the Giants one week later on August 29.

Teams are schedule to report to training camp July 28 and won’t play their first preseason games until sometime between Aug. 20-24.

Packers won’t use St. Norbert College this summer

For the first time since 1958, Green Bay Packers players will not be staying at St. Norbert College during training camp, in accordance with NFL safety guidelines.