Friday’s Packers Transactions: What They Mean vs. Eagles

The Green Bay Packers acquired Malik Willis and released Sean Clifford a couple weeks ago. In a race against time, Willis learned enough of the offense to be the backup quarterback vs. the Eagles.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Sean Clifford (6) passes the ball during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 24. / Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers did not elevate quarterback Sean Clifford from the practice squad for Friday night’s NFL Week 1 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. They did elevate running back Ellis Merriweather.

Here’s a look at the transaction that was made – and the moves that weren’t made.

Activated: RB Ellis Merriweather

At running back, MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson (hip) were questionable. Following Thursday’s light workout in Sao Paulo, the Packers listed both players as limited participation.

The Packers have three backs on the practice squad: Ellis Merriweather, who competed for a roster spot during training camp, La’Mical Perine, a former fourth-round pick, and Chris Brooks, who played for the Dolphins last year and joined the practice squad a few days ago.

Merriweather signed with the team in November, making him the natural choice to provide depth for Friday night.

Lloyd missed most of training camp due to injuries. In the preseason opener at Cleveland, he got two touches and dropped out with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the rest of training camp.

Lloyd practiced on Sunday and Monday in Green Bay but did not on Tuesday.

“No setback. He had two good days and it’s just part of the process,” coach Matt LaFleur said on Tuesday.

He added that he was “confident” that Wilson would be ready after another strong preseason. Among running backs, Wilson ranked second in the preseason in rushing yards and broken tackles and first in yards after contact.

Also, the Packers released running back Nate McCrary from the practice squad with an injury settlement.

Not Activated: QB Sean Clifford

The Packers acquired quarterback Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 26. While he had a foundation in LaFleur’s offense due to the similarities between the schemes – LaFleur was offensive coordinator in Tennessee in 2018 – the 11 days between the trade and Friday’s kickoff represented what seemed to be an absurd timeline for Willis to be ready for emergency duty.

But, he pulled it off. He will be Jordan Love’s backup while Clifford – who along with rookie Michael Pratt was released in the wake of the Willis trade – will spend the night in street clothes.

Willis was hyped as a potential first-round pick in 2022 but wound up being taken by the Titans in the third round. He started three games as a rookie, but the Titans drafted Will Levis in 2023, which closed the door on Willis.

Willis completed 53.0 percent of his passes with zero touchdowns, three interceptions and a 49.4 passer rating with the Titans. This preseason, though, he completed 74.1 percent of his passes with two touchdowns, one interception and a 104.7 rating.

Coming to Green Bay, even as a backup to Love, represented a fresh start, even if the timing wasn’t ideal.

“It’s just cramming it in and seeing what he can handle, seeing what he likes, what he’s familiar with and building from there,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “You don’t have to put the whole playbook in for him, but you can just find out his favorite plays, what he likes to do and go from there as you progress throughout the season.”

How is Malik Willis doing in his crash course into the #Packers' offense and the fundamentals required to run it? We discussed yesterday. ⬇️https://t.co/DBxtVen30x

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 3, 2024

On Monday, following the second practice of the week in Green Bay, Willis said his crash course into the Packers’ offense was “going great,” but he wasn’t ready to say he was capable of running the show should something happen to Love.

“It’s a lot of carryover (offensively)," he said. “It’s like transferring schools but they have a test when you come in and they’ve been studying certain material. I’ve been studying material – it’s NFL football – but it’s different terminology and a different system.

“I’ve been in systems that are more similar than this and there’s a lot of carryover. It’s really just getting those terms together and connecting the dots. It’s not new information so it’s not as much as your perceived notion of it.”

A fifth-round pick last year, Clifford knows the scheme and could have operated the offense if pressed into action.

“I think we have confidence in him,” LaFleur said this week. “I told Sean, I think we’ve seen him play better than all the things we saw throughout the course of the offseason I would say, from training camp and in those preseason games. He’s just got to get back to really the core fundamentals that allow you to play the game fast. Reading with your feet is one of those. But we certainly still have a lot of confidence in Sean.”

Not Elevated: TE Andrew Beck

At tight end, Tucker Kraft (back) also was questionable. A source told Packers On SI on Friday morning that Kraft would play.

Andrew Beck, who started 12 games last season for the Texans, is on the practice squad. He’s more Josiah Deguara-style fullback than true tight end.

Eagles Transactions

Philadelphia elevated offensive lineman Nick Gates and tight end E.J. Jenkins.

Gates has started 29 games in five seasons, including 10 games at center for the Commanders last season. Jenkins was an undrafted receiver out of Georgia Tech who made the move to tight end in the NFL. He caught three passes for 23 yards this preseason.

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If the #Packers are going to beat the Eagles, they'll have to contend with one of the most dangerous rushing attacks in the NFL.

Is Green Bay's new defense up for the challenge?

That's one of this week's Three Reasons to Worry. ⬇️https://t.co/3mxEJg1bpc

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 6, 2024

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