On the first day of Green Bay Packers training camp, current kicker Anders Carlson and veteran Greg Joseph made way for rookie James Turner.
Turner, who was released by the Detroit Lions last month, kicked first Monday. Neither Carlson nor Joseph kicked during the first practice, but Turner was 4 of 6 from the field, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. He missed from 43 and 46 yards, both over the right. Turner kicked from 33, 38, 41 and 44 yards, according to Bill Huber from SIWith two three-point opportunities, Turner made 2-of-3 on each occasion.
Instead of rotating through practices, the Packers will apparently give each of their three kickers individual days to kick in live sessions. Carlson, who made 27 of 33 field goals and 34 of 39 extra points as a rookie with the Packers last season, could get a kick Tuesday. Or maybe Joseph, who made 82.2 percent of his field goals and 90.3 percent of his extra points in three years as the Vikings’ kicker.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers have roster flexibility to keep three kickers in training camp and that there is no rush to choose a winner.
“As long as it takes,” Gutekunst said. “We’ll keep going and keep going down this road until someone wins.”
Turner went undrafted by Michigan this year. He spent most of the offseason with the Lions, who released him after signing All-UFL kicker Jakes Bates in June.
