After watching rookie Alex Hale kick during practice on Wednesday, Green Bay Packers kickers Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph performed flawlessly Thursday in their final practice before Green Bay’s preseason opener on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns.
According to Wes Hodkiewicz from Packers.comCarlson and Joseph both went 6-of-6 in practice Thursday. They kicked from 40, 44, 47, 49, 50 and 51 yards.
Both kickers should feel confident heading into the Packers’ first exhibition game on Saturday, and it’s possible the three preseason games will be a deciding factor in the competition as the Packers try to determine the best kicker for the 2024 season.
The Packers got back into the kicking game three ways when they signed Hale, a rookie out of Oklahoma State. Hale made 5 of 6 kicks in his debut Wednesday.
Both Carlson and Joseph had impressive performances at Lambeau Field on Family Night, but struggled in windy conditions during Tuesday’s practice, going 4-of-7. Coach Matt LaFleur said the wind at Ray Nitschke Field was unusually powerful and that neither kicker would have faced such high winds in an NFL stadium.
On Thursday, LaFleur pushed back on the suggestion that Hale’s signing was a reflection of the team’s evaluation of the kicking competition, suggesting instead that the move was more of a reward for Hale, who had been excellent during the team’s workouts.
It’s unclear how the Packers will divide up the kicking options in the preseason. Carlson is listed first on the unofficial depth chart. Giving all three kickers adequate opportunities in the game could be a challenge.
The weather forecast for Cleveland on Saturday calls for temperatures in the mid-70s and winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour. Kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium is set for 3:25 p.m.
