The Green Bay Packers are closing in on the end of Week 2 of their 2024 training camp. The team presently has 90 players fighting for 53 roster spots and some openings on the practice squad. The Pack still has family night and three preseason games ahead of them, but these five Packers players have struggled so far in training camp. They will need to pick up their play to earn roster spots.

Packers Players Struggling in Training Camp Number Five: K Anders Carlson

Anders Carlson got off to a good start early in camp this year but had a very bad day on Thursday. He missed three of six field goal tries. The issue for Carlson last year was consistency. Now after a poor performance on Thursday, the pressure will ratchet up for the Auburn alum on Family Night and in the next few practices.

His competition comes from veteran Greg Joseph who has been more consistent than Carlson thus far.

Number Four: G Royce Newman

In July, veteran guard Royce Newman restructured his contract, hoping it would give him a better chance to stay on the roster. Unfortunately, the former Ole Miss star will also need to play better to accomplish that goal.

Newman started as a rookie but struggled, especially at picking up stunts and blitzes. He has not improved significantly in those areas in the last two seasons and continued to be a liability when subbed into the lineup.

In training camp thus far, Newman has not been playing with the first string, even when Elgton Jenkins moved from left guard to center in the temporary absence of Josh Myers.

The Packers drafted three players who could potentially play interior offensive line in this year’s draft. Newman will have to play better to keep his roster spot, even at a reduced cost.

Packers Players Struggling in Training Camp Number Three: G Sean Rhyan

Sean Rhyan started training camp as the Packers first-string right guard. The former UCLA star was considered the favorite to take over at that position after alternating series with an injured Jon Runyan, Jr. down in the second half of the 2023 season.

But after just a week, Rhyan lost the top spot on the depth chart to rookie first-round pick, Jordan Morgan.

In his first two seasons, Rhyan graded out as an average run blocker but struggled badly in pass protection. The Packers are not going to jeopardize the health of Jordan Love by starting an offensive lineman who struggles in pass protection.

Rhyan may miss out on being a starter for the third straight season if he doesn’t pick up his game.

Number Two: QB Sean Clifford

Backup quarterback Sean Clifford had a real opportunity to show what he could do during Love’s “hold-in” earlier in training camp. The second-year man out of Penn State was working with the first-string offense because Love wasn’t going to be on the field until he signed his new contract extension.

Unfortunately, Clifford did not take advantage of his chance. In the first week of camp, Clifford threw too many interceptions and did not look sharp.

Clifford is in a battle with 2024 seventh-round pick, Michael Pratt for the backup quarterback job. Thus far, neither player has stood out.

There have been rumblings that the Packers should explore bringing in a veteran backup if neither Clifford nor Pratt proves ready for the job.

Packers Players Struggling in Training Camp Number One: OT Andre Dillard

The Packers signed veteran offensive tackle Andre Dillard as a free agent this offseason. The former first-round pick out of Washington State has all the physical tools and athleticism scouts want in an offensive tackle, but he has struggled to live up to expectations in his first four NFL seasons.

Dillard started a career-high 10 games last season for the Titans. He was benched mid-season but returned to the lineup after injuries struck.

With Zach Tom unavailable due to a torn pectoral muscle, Dillard started at right tackle in the first week of training camp. He was beaten badly and repeatedly by defensive end Rashan Gary.

With his poor performance in the first week of camp, Dillard went from being the favorite to take over as the swing tackle to a player who may not make the roster. He’ll need a strong finish this preseason to stick with the Pack.

 

 

 

 

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