Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the team had substantial plans for rookies Jordan Morgan and MarShawn Lloyd before injuries mostly ruined the first seasons of both 2024 draft picks.
“Yes, that was the plan for this year,” LaFleur told The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman on-air “Matt LaFleur’s Podcast” after the season.
Lloyd, a third-round draft pick, played in just one game – Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts – while dealing with hip, ankle and hamstring injuries and emergency surgery for appendicitis.
LaFleur said the Packers are still excited about Lloyd’s explosiveness and potential in the passing game, even though his first season was a nightmare for the rookie.
“You could see his explosiveness in the video. He would definitely add dynamics to this room and this position,” LaFleur said. “Any time you can cause problems in games in the passing game, it’s huge for you. He has a lot of explosive ability.”
If Lloyd is robust in 2025, he could become the top backup behind Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs at running back.
On the offensive line, Morgan was competing for the starting right guard position before suffering the first of several shoulder injuries in training camp. He continued to rotate at right-back under Sean Rhyan for five matches and played one match before a worsening shoulder injury required season-ending surgery.
“I thought Jordan Morgan was making good progress. Unfortunately, his shoulder was still giving him problems,” LaFleur said.
Losing Morgan really hurt the Packers in the postseason. Left back Elgton Jenkins scored a goal in the first quarter and inexperienced substitutes Travis Glover and Kadeem Telfort struggled greatly over the final three quarters.
General manager Brian Gutekunst said the Packers could move the offensive line more often as they look to find their top five starters in 2025. Center Josh Myers is an unrestricted free agent, and players like Jenkins and Zach Tom have versatility at five positions. Tom and left guard Rasheed Walker will return after starting every game in 2024, so Morgan will likely return to the lineup to compete for a starting spot at the defensive position in 2025.
Injuries are a part of football, but both Lloyd and Morgan were unlucky as freshmen. With a little more luck on the injury front, the Packers could get crucial and valuable contributions from their top two 2024 picks heading into the 2025 season.
