Its gonna go right down to the wire on the Packers defensive line

Wes Hodkiewicz

Mark from Bettendorf, IA

Pete Alonso is asking for lasers on foul poles. It's just a matter of time

You know, genius can take time to be fully appreciated.

Jim from Palm Bay, FL

I would consider it a preseason "win" if the best players and no injuries end up on the 53-man roster.

That would be the biggest win of all.

Rich from Manitou Springs, CO

I seriously doubt the Pack will win on Friday night. We all know Sean Payton and his desire to win. Bountygate ring a bell? He was suspended for a year on that one. He thinks winning preseason games rolls over into the season by establishing a winning attitude. So, Packers fans, don't be too upset if we lose. I'd rather be playing those young guys that are on the bubble and see what they have versus winning the game.

As much as I'd love a Packers win tonight to quiet the naysayers here, I care more about how the Packers look than what the final result is on the scoreboard. Play four competitive quarters and let the chips fall where they may.

Alex from Fennimore, WI

If you got the choice betweenMarShawn Lloyd,Josh JacobsandChris Brookscombining for 2,500 yards rushing orTucker Kraft,Christian Watson,Jayden ReedandMatthew Goldencombining for 3,000 yards receiving. Which would you choose?

In the past, I would've said the former based on how the offense is built. But getting solid, steady production from those four pass-catchers would take this offense to another level.Jordan Lovecan easily throw for more than 4,000 yards when healthy and I feel he should have the perfect roster of receiving talent to do it this year.

Bob from Winneconne, WI

Will we see Tucker Kraft in tonight's game?

I would be surprised if we see Kraft in the preseason. It's more realistic he practices against the Cards on Wednesday.

Mike from Baraboo, WI

WhenMicah Parsonsreturns, will he be on a pitch count or will he be released to disrupt the opposition?

I would think the Packers start Parsons on a pitch count. That's how they handled Rashan Gary coming off his ACL in 2023. He played 12 snaps in the regular-season opener and just 23 snaps during his three-sack performance against New Orleans in the home opener in Week 3. It wasn't until mid-October that Gary played more than 40 snaps.

Mark from Austin, TX

I'm reading a lot of great things aboutJavon Hargrave's performance in practice.Brandon Cisseseems to be playing like a first-round draft pick. I continue to hear absolutely nothing aboutJordan Morgan. All of these things make me happy.

Spoff made a good point on "Unscripted" about desiring a MarShawn Lloyd explosive play tonight to show the fans what we've been seeing in practice. While it's difficult for an offensive tackle to get noticed for the right reasons, I hope Packers fans keep an eye on Morgan for the first few weeks of the regular season. Because he's been consistent and reliable since moving to left tackle. It's clear that's where Morgan is most comfortable with his footwork.

Jay from Lutz, FL

Guys, it seems to me we have a great deal of talent at DL. We haveWarren Brinson, Javon Hargrave,Devonte Wyatt,Jonathan Ford,Nazir StackhouseandChris McClellanI could go on. Am I imagining this or are we really deep?

Ford called this the most competitive defensive line room he's been in, which says something considering how deep Green Bay was there when it drafted Ford in the seventh round back in 2022. Based on what I've seen, I think it's gonna go right down to the wire on the defensive line with so many different players who can do very different things.

Kevin from Indianapolis, IN

I'm relieved to seeDani Dennis-Suttondoesn't have lingering concerns from his health issue. Is the response to his overheating standard protocol or was there something else that escalated the response?

The Packers' medical staff has a process in response to overheating, which included Dennis-Sutton getting checked out to make sure there are no other underlying medical issues. He's fine and returned to practice Wednesday. DDS's takeaway was making sure he stays properly hydrated.

Curtis from Moreno Valley, CA

How has Dennis-Sutton looked so far? When he was picked, I was pretty excited and thought he may surprise a lot of people, but I haven't really heard anything at all about him so far.

He was off to a good start to camp. DDS is lengthy, which can be a huge asset for a rookie pass rusher wanting to get on the field against the run on early downs and stay there in third-and-pass.

Brad from Bozeman, MT

Hi Wes. I really enjoy the player profiles that you and Spoff write. Your profile onZaire Franklinwas agood introduction to him as a person and player. I just read that he has the most tackles in the NFL over the last four years with 644. He is clearly a savvy veteran and tenacious tackler. Since he is now our green dot guy, how has he led the team in practice and how do his defensive alignment calls and adjustments look to you?

Football guy. That's the best way I can describe it. Franklin is everything you want in a middle linebacker. He's tough, vocal and willing to mix it up sometimes with his own teammates. You can easily see how Franklin went from a seventh-round flier to an All-Pro. He also knows Jonathan Gannon and his defense. If Franklin can prove there's still some stuff in the basement at 30 years old, I think the Packers have found the right "Mike" linebacker to complementEdgerrin Cooper's athleticism.

Jordan from Osterdock, IA

Wes, can you elaborate on what you meant by Brandon Cisse being a "long(er)-term project"?

When drafting a 20-year-old player, I just expect it to take a season or two for him to round into form. Cisse has looked the part since his first practice of OTAs.

Sam from Beloit, WI

In regards to Nik from Moore, SC, about keeping a player on the 53 vs. cutting and hoping to get to practice squad, another factor is the other teams' needs/injuries. You may be trying to "stash" the lesser-known guy, but that's the position another team is thin at. I say just keep better of the two regardless of how much is known by others. But in the end, it's a crystal ball business.

Earlier this week, Brian Gutekunst offered good insight into the decisions the Packers' personnel department makes on cutdown day. Certainly, Green Bay must be comfortable with the idea of losing any player it cuts to the waiver wire. However, the scouts also run exercises to determine if what certain players showed during the three preseason games is enough for another team to swoop in. With that in mind, it's more logical for a late-round draft pick than a longshot to hang on and "redshirt" his rookie year because more eyes are on those prospects. That's the route Green Bay has previously taken with Rasheed Walker, Ford, Anthony Johnson and many others.

Keith from Lincoln, IL

If memory serves, going into their first training camp following them being drafted in successive rounds, the hype/focus was all onLuke Musgraveand his ability to stretch the seam as a "new" type of tight end. What triggered the first thought with you that Tucker Kraft was something special?

The final stretch of his rookie season. He caught 21 of 25 targets for 260 yards over the final five games, scoring his first touchdown after making a defender miss on a screen and then launching into the end zone.

Dar from Mansfield, TX

In the Gutekunst era, how many times has the team kept more than nine offensive linemen on the opening 53? Seems like there are maybe four guys with a legit shot at the ninth spot. I'd hate to lose any of those potential "jars on the shelf" who've been developing so nicely.

The Packers carried 10 offensive linemen on their Week 1 roster from 2022-24 before going into the season with nine in 2025. With teams needing to carry at eight O-linemen on the gameday roster, it's a good bet Green Bay will have at least nine moving forward.

Tommy from Washburn, WI

I really enjoyedCam Achords micd up video. He seems like a real down-to-earth, personable coach. How does his style compare to STCs of the past? What do you think of him so far?

Achord might be the loudest coach I've covered regardless of the position they coach. Shawn Slocum used to wear a microphone that was plugged into the PA system during training camp. My eardrums shudder at the thought of Achord doing the same. If you thought the mic'd up video was fun, you should have seen him at practice Wednesday. He was getting after blockers during a punt cover period. For somebody who used to mainline coffee and soda, Achord doesn't seem like a guy who ever needed caffeine to get hyped.

Scott from Hudson, WI

No matter what one reads or listens to from experts or pundits, the Packer offensive line is a concern. Statistics and film don't lie but this current group is not a Super Bowl-caliber bunch. The offseason moves were limited at best. When you watch play after play of just the O-line they just don't consistently get the movement they need for an effective ground game. We need some maulers to smash mouth the run game. Give us Packer faithful some hope, what do you see up close?

Potential. A unit with its best football ahead of it, especially ifZach Bako-Bewelecan put that knee injury behind him.

Tim from Olathe, KS

Insiders, every aspect of the game is subject to extreme micromanagement. There are multiple coaches for every position, practice film is analyzed as much as game film, and the smallest assignment failure is scrutinized. But one absolute truth remains. Pressure on the QB wins games. It throws all that micromanagement out the window and makes even the top offenses look frazzled and inept. Elite pass rushers win games. Can we do this without Micah?

Yep. The Packers are Super Bowl contenders with Parsons on the field, but they still have a very good football team until he's back in the field.

Paul from Hewitt, WI

After the cutdown to the 53 and before setting the practice squad, do teams follow the waiver order? Is it the recent draft order? If it is the latter, can the Raiders sign as many players as they want ahead of all other teams assuming they have roster openings? How does the process work? Thank you.

Correct. The waiver wire is the same as the draft order through the first three weeks of the regular season. If you recall Chicago claimed like six players a few years ago.

James from Appleton, WI

What happens to the slot corner if the opponent doesn't line up with a receiver in the slot? Then is the slot corner the player who leaves the field as the referees hold up play to allow the defense to make corresponding substitutions?

If the call is man, the nickel slides to the outside edge of the defensive front to defend the run or cover a motioning receiver or pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Paul from Amarillo, TX

Let's give some love to LaDarius Gunter! It was no day at the beach for Odell Beckham Jr. as Ladarius held him to just four receptions for 28 yards, helping the Packers to advance on the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2016. At just 34 years old, he still might have some juice. Can you think of any other Packers in recent memory who made contributions that were underappreciated for some reason or another?

I have no issue with Gunter. The problem was nobody was pushing Gunter, a former undrafted free agent with a slow 40 time, for that spot. Credit to Gunter for the career he carved out for himself. He was a heck of a success story.

Russ from Peosta, IA

The comment about starting your round with a double bogey got me thinking who would you pick to play in your foursome out of today's roster? Who would you choose from all past players? GPG!

Daniel WhelanandMatt Orzechsureseem like a lot of fun. Davante Adams is a hell of a stick, too, from what I understand.

Doug from Wausau, WI

Couple days behind, and just almost did a spit-take at Wes's sneaky "Anchorman" reference. Fortunately, I avoided doing so. Unfortunately, that meant the coffee just wound up in my sinuses. Really a rookie mistake, but it's preseason for Inbox readers too, I guess. No question, just a thanks for the information, insight and laughs.

60% of the timeit works every time. Enjoy the game everybody.

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