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TRAINING CAMP NOTEBOOK: OBSERVATIONS FROM COLTS’ JOINT PRACTICE WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Colts’ joint practice with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday was a mixed bag of just about everything you can get in a two-hour long football practice under the blazing sun. Fans at Grand Park saw touchdowns, spectacular catches, interceptions and everything in between (from both teams) in the Colts’ final training camp practice.
“Got some really good work in today with those guys,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, definitely some things to clean up. I’ll go back and watch the defense, since I was on the offensive field. But overall thought it was some really good work today.”
The Colts’ offense started out strong in one-on-one drills in the beginning of practice; wide receiver Adonai Mitchell picked up where he left off in Baltimore in showing his dominance in beating out defenders and tight end Will Mallory continued to build on a strong camp performance.
But as the two teams shifted into 11-on-11 drills, that was when the Colts began to struggle.
“I think more than anything it was the penalties,” Steichen said. “Every time I looked up it felt like we were in the backfield or (an) illegal formation, so we got to get that cleaned up. Obviously penalties are a big part of those things that’s hitting yardage. You don’t want to have that happen in the game. That just comes down to focus and so we’ve got to get that cleaned up moving forward.”
Both Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones completed a handful of passes during the team periods, but were also each picked off.
“I felt like overall, we probably weren’t as sharp as we’ve been in a lot of our work leading up to this,” Jones said. “I think, you know, a lot of things we can clean up offensively. I think that’s gonna happen in a joint practice — the speed and intensity is ramped up a little bit, you’re going against different looks that you haven’t seen before. So I think probably wasn’t as sharp as we’re used to being at this point of camp. We’ll obviously look to clean it up.”
The best the Colts’ offense looked in the two-hour practice came at the very end, when Richardson led the team quickly and efficiently down the field for a touchdown during a two-minute drill period. . Highlighted by sharp, accurate throws to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and wide receiver Tyler Warren – both layered in heavy coverage – and a rushing touchdown by running back Jonathan Taylor, those few minutes were the most encouraging ones from an offensive standpoint.
But it’s all about perspective, and the Colts know those few minutes won’t be enough to propel them to success.
“Decent day,” Richardson said. “Got a couple touchdowns in, a couple first downs, but turned the ball over, a few false starts, penalties that we can knock out. Then snap stuff, gotta get the snaps. So decent day from the good things we did, but nowhere near where we want to be.”
The Colts’ defense had a relatively similar day, but a few more flashes and big plays; safety Hunter Wohler nearly intercepted a pass in the end zone and safety Ladarius Tennison nearly had a pick along the sidelines, both in 11-on-11 periods. But it was cornerback Samuel Womack III who stood out the most, flying around the field to record multiple pass breakups and apply heavy pressure on the man he was tasked with covering.
Cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones still don’t have a timeline for their returns, per Steichen, and with Kenny Moore II currently sidelined with a knee injury Womack has been one of the guys in the room that’s stepped up and shown what he can do.
But as the Colts prepare for their second preseason game against the Packers this Saturday, they all know what happened on Thursday – good or bad – won’t impact the game. What will impact the game is how they use what happened Thursday to get better.
“I’m confident,” Jones said. “We’ve put in a lot of work, we’re a sharp group.”
News and Notes from Thursday’s practice:
- Wide receiver Josh Downs exited Thursday’s practice with a hamstring injury and defensive end Samson Ebukam left with a back injury, per Steichen.
- Wide receiver Anthony Gould had two receptions during one-on-one drills, including a deep touchdown.
- The defensive line stood strong at the line of scrimmage in the first 11-on-11 period of the day stopping multiple runs and creating pressure on quarterback Malik Willis.
- Safety Cam Bynum broke up a pass from Willis intended for Packers tight end Tucker Kraft in 11-on-11s.
- Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell beat Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine on two separate one-on-one reps, one on a comeback and the other when Mitchell navigated around a jersey pull to high point the contested ball, coming down along the sidelines for a toe-tap catch.
- In a red zone period, quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. stepped up to avoid pressure and found Michael Pittman Jr. for a touchdown. That would be the only passing touchdown of the period.
- In that same red zone period, quarterback Daniel Jones completed passes to tight end Will Mallory and wide receiver Ashton Dulin.
- Safeties Trey Washington and Ladarius Tennison each recorded forced fumbles in an 11-on-11 period.
- Defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore recorded a would-be sack on Willis in a two-minute drill to close out practice.
EAGLES’ LANDON DICKERSON SERVES BEERS AT PRACTICE WHILE RECOVERING FROM KNEE SURGERY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Landon Dickerson played bartender and served cold ones for the Super Bowl champion Eagles with the injured offensive lineman’s career temporarily on ice.
The Eagles can’t wait for Dickerson to resume his day job.
Dickerson passed around beers Thursday at the end of a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns — with a brace on his right knee following meniscus surgery that will keep the three-time Pro Bowl lineman sidelined at least through the end of training camp.
Dickerson was injured at the end of Sunday’s open practice at Lincoln Financial Field. There is no set timetable for his return, and Brett Toth took first-team snaps at left guard this week at practice.
Toth likely will start for the Eagles when they play their second preseason game Saturday against the Browns.
“Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to step to the plate and give it the best I got,“ Toth said. ”Hopefully I can perform to the standard that was before me.”
Beyond that, there are no guarantees. The Eagles remain hopeful Dickerson could return for the season opener when the Eagles raise their championship banner on Sept. 4 against Dallas.
“Don’t have to name any starters or any backups at any position,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “Brett’s done a nice job and I like the depth that we have at that position and I know we have options there, but you asked about Brett, I think Brett’s doing a really good job and he’s got a lot of versatility.”
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson remained confident that Toth could handle the spot but was relieved that Dickerson wasn’t necessarily expected to remain sidelined deep into the season.
“It was alarming but I’m glad we got a good-case scenario,” Johnson said. “Make no mistake, Landon’s one of the, if not, the best guard in football.”
Toth, who played at Army, has had three stints with the Eagles and spent a bulk of that time on the practice squad.
“H’s a really smart individual, really good with the detail of the game,” Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo said. “He understands a lot of positions, which is great to have a guy like that that can line up in multiple spots and be able to step in if something happens. So I think that’s the biggest thing he brings and I think he’s been in the system for a while.”
AARON RODGERS, T.J. WATT, AND MOST OTHER STEELERS STARS WILL SKIP PRESEASON MEETING WITH TAMPA BAY
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Tomlin is in no rush to see Aaron Rodgers in a game situation.
The NFL’s oldest player is going to sit out Pittsburgh’s meeting with Tampa Bay, meaning the four-time MVP most likely won’t make his official debut with the Steelers until the season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 7.
While Tomlin declined to officially rule out Rodgers for Pittsburgh’s preseason finale with Carolina on Aug. 21, the NFL’s longest tenured coach has rarely made starters available for the final exhibition game.
Star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, wide receiver DK Metcalf, defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth also will sit out for a second straight week. Linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive end Cam Heyward — who is “holding in” amid a contract dispute — also will get the day off.
“Some of those veteran guys I mentioned have been doing it for a long time and particularly at a high level,” Tomlin said. “Coupled with the fact that I’ve liked what I’ve seen from them in a practice setting, is the reason why sometimes I move that collective out of the way.”
REPORT: RB MATT BREIDA TO RETIRE AFTER SEVEN SEASONS
Veteran running back Matt Breida plans to retire after seven NFL seasons, ESPN reported on Thursday.
Breida, 30, spent time in training camp with the San Francisco 49ers last year but was released prior to the season. He did not play for an NFL club in 2024.
Per ESPN, Breida also declined a requested workout by the Miami Dolphins during this offseason.
He rushed for 2,652 yards and nine touchdowns in 98 career games for the 49ers (2017-19), Dolphins (2020), Buffalo Bills (2021) and New York Giants (2022-23). He also had 120 catches for 935 yards and six scores.
He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern.
49ERS PLACE OL ANDRE DILLARD (ANKLE) ON INJURED RESERVE
The San Francisco 49ers placed veteran offensive lineman Andre Dillard on season-ending injured reserve Thursday.
The former first-round pick recently was activated from the physically unable to perform list, where he landed after undergoing offseason ankle surgery.
Drafted 22nd overall by Philadelphia in 2019, Dillard has played in 69 career games (19 starts) for the Eagles (2019, 2021-22), Tennessee Titans (2023) and Green Bay Packers (2024).
The 49ers also signed William Bradley-King and Demone Harris to one-year deals and waived fellow defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour.
Bradley-King, 27, appeared in four games for Washington in 2021-22 after being drafted in the 2021 seventh round.
Harris, 29, has played in 23 games (one start) with four teams since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He tallied 11 tackles in nine games with the Atlanta Falcons last season.
Dwumfour, 27, has appeared in 13 games (one start) for the Houston Texans (2021-22), 49ers (2022) and Cleveland Browns (2024).
VIKINGS DC BRIAN FLORES’ DISCRIMINATION SUIT VS. NFL CLEARED FOR TRIAL
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ civil discrimination claim against the NFL was cleared by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to proceed to trial, bypassing what the panel of judges felt was a flawed arbitration process involving commissioner Roger Goodell.
The former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and co-defendants are suing the league and three teams — the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans — claiming Black coaches face discrimination. Flores’ claims do not list the New England Patriots, where he was the defensive coordinator prior to becoming a first-time head coach in Miami in 2019.
He filed the suit in 2022 after the Giants hired Brian Daboll as head coach, arguing his interview with the organization was scheduled primarily to appease the NFL rule mandating teams interview a minority candidate, known as the Rooney Rule.
Judge Valerie Caproni previously ruled — on March 1, 2023 — that Flores’ case could go to trial, prompting the NFL appeal.
In her written decision more than two years ago, Caproni mandated Flores seek arbitration in his claims against the Dolphins. She also said two other coaches submitting claims — Steve Wilks and Ray Horton — must seek arbitration, while otherwise siding with Flores on the merits of a jury trial.
Caproni described the details of experiences of minority coaches “incredibly troubling.” She cited specific claims in the suit of the NFL’s “long history of systematic discrimination toward Black players, coaches, and managers.”
Goodell said at the Super Bowl in February that the NFL would not cease diversity, equity and inclusion efforts despite a federal demand for a shift from the administration of President Donald Trump.
Entering the 2025 regular season, there are five Black head coaches in the NFL: Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Todd Bowles (Buccaneers), DeMeco Ryans (Texans) and, Raheem Morris (Falcons) and Aaron Glenn (Jets). Two others, Antonio Pierce (Raiders) and Jerod Mayo (Patriots), were fired after one season as head coach. Pierce was promoted from interim head coach in Las Vegas before the 2024 season.
Carponi said in her ruling it was “difficult to understand” how the league had only one Black head coach at the time Flores filed his lawsuit because “70 percent” of players under contract were Black. After being fired by the Dolphins, Flores spent 2022 as a defensive assistant for the Steelers where he worked under the only Black head coach at the time, Tomlin.
The appeals court decision written by Circuit Judge Jose A. Cabranes was centered around the judge’s opinion that Flores would not be granted true “neutral arbitration.” The decision states the NFL arbitration rules violate the Federal Arbitration Act because claims are decided by the NFL’s principal executive officer (Goodell), which “offends basic presumptions of our arbitration jurisprudence.”
Flores said at the time he filed the suit that he risked his coaching career. Last offseason, he was interviewed by the Chicago Bears for their head-coaching vacancy. The job ultimately went to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Claims in the suit from Flores about his time in Miami stem from what he said became friction with owner Stephen Ross. Flores said when he refused to recruit a prominent quarterback against NFL tampering rules, he became cast as an “angry Black man” in the eyes of the franchise brass. Flores said he was also offered $100,000 under the table from Ross for every loss during his first season as part of a detailed plan to “tank” to get the No. 1 pick in the draft.
The Dolphins fired Flores in January 2022 following consecutive winning seasons. He was 24-25 as Miami’s head coach.
The NFL conducted its own six-month investigation and claimed there was no evidence of the Dolphins intentionally losing games. However, the NFL determined Miami — Ross and vice chairman/limited partner Bruce Beal were named specifically — was in violation of the anti-tampering policy in attempts to communicate with Tom Brady and then-Saints coach Sean Payton, and failed to uphold the integrity of the game “on multiple occasions” between 2019-22. The league stripped the Dolphins of their 2023 first-round pick and a third-round pick in 2024.
Ross was fined $1.5 million, banned from the league meetings in 2023 and suspended from Aug. 2-Oct. 17, 2022. He was barred from being present at the team facility and representing the team at any team event during that time.
REPORT: DISCIPLINARY HEARING WITH CHIEFS WR RASHEE RICE SET FOR SEPT. 30
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will have a disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Sept. 30 in New York, ESPN reported on Thursday.
The timing means Rice is available for the regular season’s first four games before facing any potential punishment for his role in a multi-vehicle accident last year in Dallas.
The defending AFC champion Chiefs kick off their season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. They host the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl LIX rematch in Week 2, visit the New York Giants in Week 3 and host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4.
Rice likely faces a multiple-game suspension from the NFL over the incident on March 30, 2024. The Lamborghini SUV he was driving on a Dallas freeway at speeds up to 119 mph struck a retaining wall in what the police called a “chain reaction collision,” resulting in a six-car crash that left seven people with injuries.
The Chiefs have 12 wide receivers on their training camp roster. Hollywood Brown missed most of last season with a shoulder injury and is currently sidelined with a foot/ankle injury. Xavier Worthy caught 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie in 2024.
Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony counts: collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation. He has also paid more than $115,000 in restitution to victims for medical expenses.
Rice, 25, is returning from season-ending surgery on his right knee, an injury he sustained in Week 4 last season. He caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in four starts before getting hurt.
A second-round draft pick in 2023, Rice set a Chiefs’ rookie record for receiving touchdowns (seven) and receptions (79) that season. He also recorded the second-most receiving yards by a rookie in Chiefs history (938), trailing only Dwayne Bowe (995 in 2007).
REPORT: FALCONS SIGNING FREE AGENT CB C.J. HENDERSON
The Atlanta Falcons are signing free agent cornerback C.J. Henderson pending a medical review, NFL Network reported on Thursday.
Henderson, 26, was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He chose the Falcons over “several suitors,” according to the report.
He was with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season but did not appear in a game before landing on injured reserve in mid-November with a neck injury.
Henderson lasted only 10 games with the Jaguars before being traded to the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 27, 2021.
He has tallied three interceptions, 16 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and 172 tackles in 49 games (32 starts) with Jacksonville (2020-21) and Carolina (2021-23).
DOLPHINS PLACE OL GERMAIN IFEDI ON SEASON-ENDING IR
The Miami Dolphins placed veteran Germain Ifedi on season-ending injured reserve and signed fellow offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste on Thursday.
Ifedi, a former first-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, signed with Miami on Aug. 3 as the Dolphins were dealing with multiple injuries up front.
Details of the injury were not disclosed for Ifedi, 31, who has started 90 of his 117 career games with the Seahawks (2016-19), Chicago Bears (2020-21), Atlanta Falcons (2022) and Cleveland Browns (2024).
Cajuste, 29, was drafted in the third round by New England in 2019. He participated in 17 games (five starts) for the Patriots from 2021-22 but has been unable to stay healthy since then.
JAGUARS ACTIVATE DT MAASON SMITH FROM PUP LIST
The Jacksonville Jaguars activated second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday.
A second-round draft pick (48th overall) in 2024, Smith recorded 3.0 sacks, 17 tackles and three passes defensed in 11 games (five starts) during his rookie campaign.
Smith, 22, was placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp with an undisclosed injury. He is listed as a backup on the depth chart behind starter Arik Armstead.
The Jaguars visit the New Orleans Saints for a preseason game on Sunday afternoon. They open the regular season at home against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7.
REPORT: NFLPA PLACES ATTORNEY ON LEAVE AFTER CLAIMS OF ABUSE
The NFL Players Association’s legal issues don’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
Less than a month after Lloyd Howell Jr. stepped down as executive director, the NFLPA on Tuesday placed one of its top attorneys on paid administrative leave, ESPN reported on Thursday.
According to the report, Heather McPhee, associate general counsel for the NFLPA, was put on leave after multiple union employees filed complaints with the human resources department.
The complaints, according to five sources who spoke with ESPN, included allegations of failing to follow supervisors’ directions, bullying coworkers and disrupting the work environment within the union.
ESPN reported that the union retained an outside firm “months ago” to investigate the claims against McPhee, and that those allegations were officially outlined in a letter signed by interim executive director David White on Tuesday.
McPhee, who has held her role since 2009, reportedly wrote several memos warning the NFLPA of potential legal troubles with OneTeam Partners, a $2 billion licensing company owned in part by the NFLPA and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Among McPhee’s reported claims were that OneTeam board members allocated equity shares to themselves as part of a bonus plan. Unrelated allegations of wrongdoing reportedly were made by an MLBPA whistleblower against that union’s head, Tony Clark.
Howell was also accused of a conflict of interest as he served as a consultant for The Carlyle Group, one of a small handful of private equity firms that the NFL has approved to pursue minority ownership in franchises, as well as potential collusion with the league to stem the increasing value of quarterback contracts.
ESPN’s reporting last month also included a former lead outside counsel for the NFLPA, Jim Quinn, calling it “an outrageous conflict for the head of a labor union to have an interest in a third party that is aligned with the NFL.”
Howell ultimately resigned after ESPN reported that receipts from a November 2023 trip taken by Howell showed car service and other costs billed to the NFLPA from Tootsie’s Cabaret, which promotes itself as the world’s largest strip club.
BROWNS ROOKIE RB QUINSHON JUDKINS WON’T FACE MISDEMEANOR CHARGE
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will not face any formal charges following his arrest for misdemeanor battery/domestic violence on July 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Assistant State Attorney Barbara M. Driscoll issued a memorandum on Thursday declining to charge Judkins.
Judkins, 21, was arrested after the alleged victim came forward on July 12 after alleging that her boyfriend, Judkins, committed battery late on July 7 and early on July 8 during a ride in a rental car from Fort Lauderdale International Airport to their hotel.
“This incident was not captured on any video surveillance,” the decline memorandum said. “There are no independent witnesses to the incident. Although the victim had photos showing injuries sustained, there were also videos in that same time frame where no injuries were observed to the victim. Additionally, the victim’s injuries depicted in the photos could be explained by either account of the incident.
“Finally, there was a delayed report of the incident. The delay is problematic as the victim was alone on numerous occasions without the Defendant, had the ability and resources to make the report without his knowledge, but chose not to do so.
“For the reasons set forth above, there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction and this case is being declined.”
Cleveland selected Judkins in the second round (36th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is the last player unsigned from the draft.
“We have been following developments in the matter which remains under review,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said to media outlets.
Judkins had 194 carries for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 161 yards and two TDs in 16 games last season as Ohio State won the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 in the title game as Judkins rushed 11 times for 100 yards and two TDs and caught a 6-yard TD pass.
In three seasons at Ole Miss (2022-23) and Ohio State, Judkins totaled 739 carries for 3,785 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 45 TDs, and had 59 receptions for 442 yards and five scores.
FORMER PRO BOWL OG BRANDON SCHERFF APPARENTLY HAS RETIRED
Former All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff, who played the last three of his 10 NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, apparently has retired.
An article this month about Scherff’s induction into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame on the Hawkeyes’ website referred to him as “having retired from playing this summer.”
The Iowa native became a free agent in March but had not signed with a team.
“It’s been something I could never dream of,” Scherff said in the article about playing professional football. “Sometimes I would tell my wife that she has to pinch me, because I’m playing a kid’s game, and being able to do it as a job is pretty amazing. Now, having kids and being able to see them after games is absolutely wonderful. So I would say it’s a dream come true. And I will be forever grateful to have had that chance.”
Washington selected Scherff with the fifth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Scherff started all 140 regular-season games that he played for Washington (2015-21) and Jacksonville (2022-24), as well as four total playoff games.
Scherff was selected first-team All-Pro in 2020, as well as to five Pro Bowls (2016-17, 2019-21) and to the 2015 NFL All-Rookie team.
In his final season at Iowa in 2014, Scherff was the Outland Trophy winner, a first-team All-American and the Big Ten’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.
RAMS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD SET FOR ANOTHER SATURDAY WORKOUT
Matthew Stafford is not ready to practice but head coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams anticipate their starting quarterback testing the health of his balky back on Saturday.
Stafford has not participated in training camp because of the back issue. He missed a targeted return-to-practice date on Monday after he tried to throw Saturday and experienced discomfort.
He received an epidural injection and earlier this week was filmed by reporters entering a hyperbaric recovery trailer parked at the team practice facility.
McVay said it’s a “little bit of both” pain tolerance and function Stafford must overcome.
“We’re trying to get our hands around this as well, so I don’t really have much more information other than think we’re trying some different things that are hopefully going to be in alignment with getting him back out on the field,” McVay said Thursday.
McVay said the goal remains having Stafford in the lineup when the Houston Texans visit Los Angeles for Week 1 of the regular season on Sept. 7. That gives the organization three weeks to find answers.
Backup Stetson Bennett IV completed 16 of 24 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns and an interception last week in a 32-21 preseason home win over the Dallas Cowboys. Jimmy Garoppolo won’t play in the preseason, McVay stated, and is the likely choice if the Rams need an emergency spot starter for Stafford.
The Rams downplayed rumors the team would be interested in acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Falcons. Cousins and McVay have a history from their days together in Washington, and former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is Cousins’ current coach in Atlanta, where Michael Penix Jr. is now the starter.
Stafford, 37, was the first overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Cousins turns 37 next week. He entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2012.
PACKERS COACH ON QB JORDAN LOVE: ‘SURGERY WENT WELL’
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was back on the practice field Thursday, casually wearing a red jersey draped over his head and a cast around his surgically repaired left thumb.
Sure, Love didn’t participate in the joint practice with the Colts in Indianapolis, but his presence served as a positive for head coach Matt LaFleur and the rest of the Packers.
“Surgery went well,” LaFleur said. “He’s in great spirits and he’s here with us. So, now it’s just about putting in the work to get the thumb rehabbed.”
LaFleur added that Love is expected to start throwing very soon.
“I wouldn’t say right away, but we anticipate there will be some sort of participation next week,” LaFleur said.
Love hit his hand on a helmet when he was sacked by Jay Tufele in the Packers’ 30-10 loss in their preseason opener against the New York Jets on Saturday.
Malik Willis will be under center in the interim for the Packers, who open their regular season on Sept. 7 at home against NFC North rival Detroit.
Love, 26, passed for 3,389 yards and 25 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 15 games (all starts) last season.
He has completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 8,154 yards with 60 touchdowns and 25 picks in 42 career games (33 starts) since being selected by the Packers with the 26th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Love is 18-15 as a starter in his career.
MORE MILTON: COWBOYS TO GIVE QB ANOTHER START SATURDAY
Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton III will start for the second consecutive week when Dallas plays the Baltimore Ravens in Saturday’s preseason matchup.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer made the announcement on Thursday, ending speculation the Cowboys were leaning toward using fellow backup Will Grier before splitting reps next week.
Milton was 17-of-29 for 143 yards in the preseason opener against the Ravens with one TD pass and one interception. Acquired from the New England Patriots and praised for his arm strength and size at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Milton is pushing to be the primary backup to Dak Prescott this season.
Owner Jerry Jones on Wednesday did not rule out adding a veteran at quarterback or any other position as roster cuts are made over the next two weeks.
Dallas is trialing available options to replace longtime No. 2 quarterback Cooper Rush, who signed with the Ravens in free agency.
As the Cowboys broke training camp and packed up to leave Oxnard, Calif., for the summer on Thursday, Schottenheimer did not commit to playing Grier in this week’s game.
“You never know, he’ll always have a cigarette in hand,” Schottenheimer said.
Dallas does expect rookie first-round pick Tyler Booker to play after missing last week’s game. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys would need more time to determine whether rookie running back Jaydon Blue and free agent addition Miles Sanders would be able to play against the Ravens.
Milton, 25, was a sixth-round draft pick by New England in 2024. The Cowboys acquired Milton and a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 217) from the Patriots for a 2025 fifth-round pick in April.
He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards with a touchdown and ran for a score in the only game he played with the Patriots.
