The Green Bay Packers are hosting competitions on the field at multiple positions for two weeks of the 2024 season. Coach Matt LaFleur is rotating at right guard, cornerback, linebacker and safety — positions that aren’t typically rotated much in the game — to give a variety of deserving players a chance.
“We’re not afraid to play a lot of people,” LaFleur said Monday. “We’re fortunate that we have a lot of players that we have a lot of confidence in to put them in the game.”
LaFleur said rotations lend a hand create a great environment for competition, player development and protection against injuries.
Let’s check out the number of plays made in week two at several positions:
Right defender
Sean Rhyan: 50 shares (71 percent)
Jordan Morgan: 20 shares (29 percent)
That split likely would have been closer to 50/50 had Morgan not injured his shoulder before halftime and missed the rest of the game. Rhyan and Morgan alternated in the first half. LaFleur was unable to provide an update on Morgan’s injury Monday, but it’s possible Rhyan — who started Sunday — will be the full-time right guard for the foreseeable future. Another injury could really set back Morgan’s development in his first year.
Corner defender
Eric Stokes: 24 shares (43 percent)
Carrington Valentine: 32 shares (57 percent)
Stokes started at cornerback, but Valentine ultimately played more snaps against the Colts. LaFleur said the decision to give Valentine more opportunities was based on results. This could be a season-long rivalry with Jaire Alexander. Stokes is a former first-round pick but is in the final year of his rookie deal. The development of Valentine, who is in his second year, could be crucial to the long-term health of the position.
Defender
Eric Wilson: 8 shares (14 percent)
Edgerrin Cooper: 7 shares (12 percent)
The Packers planned to apply Cooper more often in Week 2, but Wilson filled his eight snaps with a punt. He forced a fumble, helped make a key stop on third down and intercepted Anthony Richardson. After playing in 11 snaps in the opener, Cooper had just seven snaps Sunday. Quay Walker and Isaiah McDuffie were once again linebackers on every down. This position will be worth watching all season long as the Packers try to find their top two or three linebackers for different situations.
Security
Javon Bullard: 42 shares (75 percent)
Evan Williams: 20 shares (36 percent)
Jeff Hafley made it clear Williams has earned a role on defense in Week 2. No lies were detected Sunday. Williams filled in for Bullard alongside Xavier McKinney for a few series. He was also on the field for the final play, Anthony Richardson’s interception on Hail Mary. Unless the Packers plan to play Bullard more in the slot (Keisean Nixon played 84 percent of the snaps Sunday), the safety could continue to rotate between the two rookies.
Other Notes on Number of Attracts
— The Packers wanted more plays for Luke Musgrave and ended up with 31 plays to Tucker Kraft’s 56. It’s clear that Kraft is the TE1 and Musgrave won’t see significant playing time unless the Packers go 12-man. Kraft is simply a better fit for what the Packers want to do most weeks.
— Josh Jacobs was on the field for 47 tries. He had 32 carries.
— In a game that emphasized the run, Romeo Doubs (55 snaps, 79 percent) was the only player on the field for more than 60 percent of the offensive snaps.
— Kingsley Enagbare (31 snaps, 55 percent) once again outpaced Lukas Van Ness (20 snaps, 36 percent). Neither had a significant impact on the game. Interestingly, Enagbare outpaced veteran Preston Smith, who played 28 snaps.
— Devonte Wyatt had 25 plays (45 percent), second behind Kenny Clark (35 plays, 62 percent) among defensive linemen. Wyatt was effective as a pass rusher, and the Colts were very pass-happy at times. Karl Brooks had 23 plays, more than T.J. Slaton (19). The Packers want to keep their front line fresh, so turnovers are common.
