Rookie Jager Burton making first-team snaps count this spring

Wes Hodkiewicz

GREEN BAY The Packers conducted the second of three mandatory minicamp practices Wedneday in the Hutson Center after inclement weather forced the team indoors.

Here are five things learned from the workout:

It's historically been uncommon for rookies to run with the starting offense during the offseason program, but that's where Burton finds himself at the moment.

After rotating in with the starters at right guard during OTAs, Burton has been playing left guard in place of an injuredAaron Banksthis week during minicamp.

The rookie fifth-round pick is quick to acknowledge injuries have contributed to him receiving those first-team snaps. In addition to Banks sitting out, the Packers are also without starting right tackleZach TomandJacob Monk. Third-year veteranDonovan Jenningsalso just returned to practice this week.

While that may be the case, Burton hasn't just been gifted those reps. According to Head Coach Matt LaFleur, Burton is earning those "next man up" snaps.

"I see a really young guy that's extremely coachable, athletic, and is maximizing the most of his opportunities," said LaFleur before practice. "I think every practice he gets a little bit more comfortable, a little bit better, and he's definitely going to be in the mix to compete for playing time this year."

One of the reasons the Packers identified Burton as a potential draft target was his experience and versatility. The 6-foot-4, 312-pound offensive lineman played five years at Kentucky, starting 32 games at guard and 15 at center.

Banks sees it, too. Asked about Burton after practice, Banks commended the rookie on how well he understands the game and his willingness to ask questions of the veterans in the room.

Burton's approach has been to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can this spring. While the pads aren't on right now, Burton has taken a lot from his first-team snaps.

"It's an honor just to be in the position to be able to do that and learn how they talk and bring that to the twos whenever I'm in there with them," Burton said. "It's really cool hearing the differences of the level of communication when you get with guys who have played together for a while now and know how each other operate.

"Just trying to do everything I can to make it not skip a beat whenever there's a situation when I'm in there."

During an early team period, the nickel cornerback made a spectacular play on aJordan Lovepass intended forChristian Watsonon a corner route.

Bullard thought the pass might be too high for him at first, but he perfectly timed his jump to not only grab the ball but also complete the interception after falling on his back to the ground.

"Honestly, that was really a good throw by J-Love," Bullard said. "I really thought it was a little too high to be honest with you, but just reading the keys and doing your job. Being out there and being a playmaker."

The 2024 second-round pick was one of the Packers' breakout stars last season. Playing all 17 games in the slot, Bullard tallied 83 tackles, three deflections and a fumble recovery.

All that was missing was an interception. As a defense, Green Bay struggled in that area. The Packers' seven INTs as a team ranked 28th in the NFL in 2025.

Green Bay has always emphasized takeaways, but it's even more essential now as the Packers approach their first season with incoming defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

"It's huge. We gotta take the ball away," Bullard said. "It's important. The name of the game is you gotta get the rock. This league pays big bucks to guys who get that ball. If you want to be one of those guys, you definitely gotta get the rock."

Luke Musgravedid not practice after dropping out of practice Tuesday with an apparent injury, leaving Green Bay with onlyJosh Whyle,Messiah SwinsonandRJ Marylandat tight end.

Tucker Kraftis currently rehabbing from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season while practice-squad holdoverDrake Dabneyhasn't been practicing.

Whyle has made a few plays in practice this week. A 2024 fifth-round pick by Tennessee, Whyle caught five passes for 36 yards and a TD last season after receiving a midseason promotion from Green Bay's practice squad following Kraft's injury.

"His ability in pass protection, what he can do on the line of scrimmage in the run game, and he's made some great contested catches this offseason," Kraft said of what he's seen from Whyle. "I think the sky's the limit for him. I'm glad that we got him. I know Matt has said that. We can't believe that the Titans would let a product like that go, and we're fortunate to have him."

The Packers' starting right tackle continues to work in the rehab group after undergoing offseason surgery to repair the partially torn patellar tendon he suffered in Week 14 against Denver.

It was the final blow during an injury-riddled season for Tom, who also missed two September starts due to an oblique injury. It marked the first time an injury sidelined the former fourth-round pick since he entered the NFL in 2022.

Feeling better but not yet back on the field, Tom said he's aiming to "be full go by the start of camp."

"I feel like we're making good progress, but we'll see how I feel late next month, see where it goes from there," Tom said. "With the progress I'm making on the field and in the weight room, the goal should be that I'm at least doing something at the start of camp."

Currently competing with rookie sixth-round pickTrey Smackfor the Packers' kicking job, Havrisik helped his cause on Wednesday in making all eight of his field-goal attempts.

His makes came in succession from 33, 38, 40, 43, 46, 48, 53 and finally 58 yards. Smack rested after going 7-of-8 on his field-goal attempts Tuesday.

Havrisik saw action in three games last year while Brandon McManus battled a quad injury. He made all four of his field-goal tries, including a franchise-record 61-yarder last October in Arizona.