Packers coach Matt LaFleur had updates on Emanuel Wilson, Tucker Kraft injuries and more in his post-Family Night news conference.
GREEN BAY – Before the Family Night fireworks ignited at Lambeau Field, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur spoke with the media to discuss the Aug. 2 practice. Here are some quick highlights:
Emanuel Wilson avoids significant knee injury
When Emanuel Wilson crumpled to the ground in the end zone during the Aug. 1 practice, it looked like the Packers running back might have suffered a devastating knee injury.
Wilson injured his knee while trying to adjust to a Jordan Love pass after getting open against linebacker Isaiah McDuffie down the right sideline. His teammates took a knee while he was down for several minutes after the rep. He eventually walked slowly inside the Don Hutson Center with a slight limp, but he did not return. Wilson was also out for Family Night, but LaFleur said his running back avoided a major injury.
“It was extremely scary,” LaFleur said, “but I feel like we dodged that one. So that is some really good news.”
LaFleur wasn’t overstating how significant Wilson avoiding a major injury is for the Packers. Even with Josh Jacobs headlining the running back depth chart, Wilson’s emergence as a reliable backup last season gave a boost to the offense. Wilson was one of the team’s most improved players last season, his second since going undrafted in 2023.
He finished with 502 yards on 103 carries and four touchdowns, a healthy 4.9-yard average. Wilson also caught 11 passes on 14 targets for 48 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown on a screen pass Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. His production was an uptick after rushing for only 85 yards on 14 carries as a rookie.
There is also the difficulty fellow backup MarShawn Lloyd has had staying on the field. Lloyd missed the Family Night practice with a groin injury, his fifth straight absence. Lloyd played only one game last season before an ankle injury, followed by appendicitis, ended his season.
Tucker Kraft’s groin injury not expected to keep him out long
After practicing through a slight groin pull this week, the Packers held tight end Tucker Kraft out of Family Night.
Kraft has been steady throughout camp, one of quarterback Jordan Love’s most targeted receivers. With an off day following Family Night, LaFleur said it was best to give his tight end some rest.
“He’s been powering through it for a few days,” LaFleur said. “So he’s just been kind of powering through, and we felt like it was best just to give him a couple days and let that thing calm down.”
Carrington Valentine is becoming a takeaway machine
Carrington Valentine might not have pulled the hat trick like safety Omar Brown, who stole the Family Night show with three interceptions, but the third-year cornerback continued to show he can make plays.
Valentine blanketed rookie receiver Matthew Golden down the left side on a go route and intercepted an overthrown Love pass late in practice. Late last season, Valentine forced a takeaway in four straight games — two interceptions and two fumbles. He now has four interceptions in camp, one behind Brown for the team lead.
“Another guy who’s making the most of his opportunities,” LaFleur said. “I love how he competes, and he’s done it from Day 1. He’s really invested the time into this thing. He’s transformed his body as well. So really excited about what he’s been able to do, and really excited to see him throughout the course of the preseason.”
Packers turn their schedule to Week 1 of preseason
With Family Night practice televised, LaFleur said he kept his scheme vanilla similar to a preseason game.
The Packers begin the preseason this week against the New York Jets. LaFleur said he split the workload for his team in practice leading up to the Aug. 9 opener. “We have a plan in place,” LaFleur said. “They’ll be off tomorrow (Aug. 3) and then, I mean, we’re going to grind them pretty good in regards to how we approach this next week with two pretty heavy practices sandwiched in between two, I would say, pretty lower or light practices.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers get good news on running back Emanuel Wilson's knee injury
Category: Football
