GREEN BAY, Wis. — The infirmary in Green Bay isn’t as crowded these days.
Head coach Matt LaFleur indicated Tuesday morning that starting running back Josh Jacobs’ return would be imminent, and he stayed true to his word. The eighth-year veteran was back on the practice field three days before the Packers are scheduled to face the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the preseason.
Jacobs has missed nearly two weeks—including the Aug. 7 Family Night practice inside Lambeau Field—with a minor groin injury. In his place, MarShawn Lloyd has served as the Packers’ No. 1 running back and even started the Aug. 13 exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He carried the ball four times for 13 yards and caught a pass for negative yardage before Pierre Strong Jr. entered the game.
In addition to Jacobs, edge rusher Lukas Van Ness returned to practice after missing Sunday’s padded session with what the team described as a shoulder injury. It was a concerning development at first considering Van Ness’ injury history, but evidently, it was inconsequential.
Van Ness played just three snaps with the Packers’ first-team defense against the Steelers, combining for a sack with linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Otherwise, the Packers’ non-participants in practice are mostly the same as they’ve been for several days now.
OL Darian Kinnard (Ankle)
It may not seem like it, but Kinnard is—and has been—an important piece to the Packers’ offensive line. He filled in at right tackle at various points last season and even functioned as their No. 3 tight end. The Packers have been experimenting with him at right guard as they attempt to get former second-round pick Anthony Belton as much cross-training work at right tackle as possible. When Kinnard left the game against the Steelers, he was replaced by undrafted rookie Josh Gesky.
S Javon Bullard (Foot)
The third-year versatile safety was seen at practice with a walking boot on his right foot. There was no cause for alarm, though; the boot was a precaution as he dealt with a bone bruise. He’s not expected to miss significant time. When asked about how crucial Bullard is to the Packers’ defense last Monday, LaFleur said, “Bull is a dog, man. Talk about a guy that can play with the mentality, the play style, what we want to be about. It’s been cool to see his evolution.”
EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Illness)
The fourth-round rookie pass rusher has been dealing with some kind of illness for a week now. He’s missed each of the Packers’ last three practices dating back to Aug. 11 and didn’t play in their preseason opener in Pittsburgh.
EDGE Nyjalik Kelly (Knee)
Kelly, an undrafted rookie, is already facing a steep uphill climb to cracking the Packers’ 53-man roster at a well-stocked position. If he has to miss practice time with a knee injury, that won’t do him any favors. He played a whopping 42 defensive snaps on Thursday against the Steelers, accounting for one pressure as a rusher and one tackle.