GREEN BAY, Wis. — By the time they take the field for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there’s a good chance that the Green Bay Packers’ new starting guard tandem will have a combined age of 70.
That’s assuming how quickly they’ll be able to get 36-year-old Kevin Zeitler up to speed. Zeitler, a native of Waukesha, Wisc., signed a one-year deal with the Packers on Wednesday, allowing him to join the rest of the team on the practice field. Before the session moved into the Don Hutson Center, Zeitler was simulating snaps at right guard, which is where head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed he’ll be starting once he’s acclimated.
“Certainly, there’s going to be a ramp-up period for him,” LaFleur said. “As soon as he feels good and ready to go, he’ll be in there.”
In the portion of practice available to the media, Donovan Jennings was at right guard with the Packers’ No. 1 offensive line. He had previously been filling in at left guard in place of Aaron Banks before fifth-round pick Jager Burton took the reins for last Thursday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Burton, a rookie, surrendered 10 pressures, prompting the Packers to move swiftly in an attempt to salvage their season.
