Packers Camp Rundown: What Stands Out Before Heading to Pittsburgh

Photo via Evan Siegle, packers.com

The Green Bay Packers concluded their last practice today before traveling to Pittsburgh for their first preseason matchup against the Steelers on Thursday.

A couple of familiar faces will be present for this game, including former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy.

The last time the Packers faced Rodgers was in Week 8 of the 2025 season, when the Packers won in Pittsburgh. 

The last time they faced McCarthy was in the 2024 playoffs, when the seventh-seeded Packers blew out the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys 48-32.

The Packers will have several players sitting out of this game. 

Most notably: Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons, Zach Bako-Bewele (formerly Zach Tom), Josh Jacobs, Carrington Valentine, Javon Bullard and Aaron Banks.

Head coach Matt LaFleur announced that Jordan Love will have a chance to play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, “unless he changes his mind.”

Thursday’s game is an opportunity for a lot of young players to showcase what they bring to the table. 

Rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse will get his first taste of NFL action after practicing with the Packers’ defensive starters for most of training camp.

Packers fans should still be keeping an eye on the cornerback room throughout the rest of camp and the preseason. 

Despite constant noise from media and fans, Keisean Nixon is still working with the defensive starters. However, the offseason acquisitions of Cisse and Benjamin St-Juste continue to put more pressure on Nixon to perform.

On top of that, the return of Kamal Hadden from injury and addition of rookie Domani Jackson throw another wrinkle into this corner group that is anything but set in stone.

Rookie offensive lineman Jager Burton will also make his debut in Pittsburgh after practicing at left guard for an injured Aaron Banks. Jacob Monk, who has dealt with past injuries, has also been practicing with the starters at right guard.

The Packers’ offensive line is going into a season where continuity is imperative and may not be found until later in the season because of the constant rotation of this unit.

Jordan Morgan will make his first start as the Packers’ starting left tackle this season, Aaron Banks has dealt with ongoing injury problems, and Zach Bako-Bewele is returning from a ruptured patellar tendon he suffered this past season.

Finally, rookie kicker Trey Smack will be under pressure to perform as the Packers’ new starting kicker. As of right now, Smack is 20-for-28 when kicking in training camp during live periods.

Following the Steelers game, the Packers have four more public practices and two more preseason games scheduled against the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals.

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