Five Players To Watch at Joint Practice vs. Bengals

The Green Bay Packers will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in a joint practice on Wednesday. Here are guys that can help their status with a good day

The Green Bay Packers are set to take the field against the Cincinnati Bengals for a joint practice on Wednesday afternoon in Cincinnati.

Typically, Packers coach Matt LaFleur has kept most of his starters on the sideline for the preseason games. That could change for at least the offense this year given the inexperience of quarterback Jordan Love and the receivers.

“We have a preliminary plan that we’ve already discussed with our coaches,” LaFleur said on Monday. “But, as you guys know, that’s subject to change.”

Regardless, the practice against the Bengals on Wednesday and two practices in Green Bay next week against the Patriots will be incredibly important. With the starters, specifically, these practices can be better than a preseason game because they create competitive situations but in a controlled environment.

The worst thing that can happen in the preseason is a team's season essentially ends before it starts. Think back to 2015, when Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in the preseason. The Packers' offense was cooked before they'd played a game that mattered.

In addition, coaches work together to get looks they want to practice against as opposed to the basic looks teams likely will throw out there in a preseason game.

With that in mind, here are five players to keep an eye on as the Packers enter their first competitive period of the season against an opponent.

Jordan Love

Jordan Love is going to be a story every time he steps on the field. That is the nature of being a quarterback in the NFL. That nature is exaggerated when you're replacing a Hall of Fame player that you were drafted to replace.

This will be Love's first competitive period as the team's preferred starter. He'll be facing a defense that is coordinated by Lou Anarumo. Anarumo has drawn up game plans that have given fits to players like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

It will be a good test for Love, who has been up-and-down during training camp against the Packers' defense. 

LaFleur has said that how practice goes will help determine how much, if at all, Love and the other starters will play on Friday night. 

He should get plenty of reps against a tough Bengals defense that finished 11th in Football Outsiders Defensive DVOA last season.

The Packers are trying to find out whether Love can be their long-term starter. Wednesday's practice will be a good first test to finding that answer. 

Zach Tom 

Tom is a player to watch regardless of where he lines up at practice. He'll obviously get snaps at right tackle, where he's listed as a starter, and perhaps will get some action at center, as well.

A test awaits either way. The Bengals' pass rush is led by defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has 22 sacks over the last two seasons. If Tom lines up at center, Bengals defensive tackles BJ Hill and DJ Reader will provide challenges in the run game.

Regardless of where Tom lines up, he'll have an opportunity to further solidify himself as an established starter. 

It's the consistency at either of his positions that will be the key. 

Sean Rhyan 

A third-round pick last year, Rhyan had about as bad of a rookie season as you could have drawn up. He played one snap on special teams before finishing the season serving a six-game suspension.

Rhyan entered camp in better condition from the prior season. He has performed better, as well. To date, he has not lost a rep in one-on-ones. His excellent start to camp has put him in strong position to earn a roster spot. A big week against the Bengals could further solidify his spot on the 53.

“Nutrition wise, I’m eating real clean now,” Rhyan said last week. “Now I feel good. I’ve got good energy, feel better, feel like my body is a different composition than it was last year – not as fat. I’m still an O-lineman, though, so I’m not going to look like Lukas (Van Ness) over there, a bodybuilder. And then just trying to play loose. Because last year I was so tense and trying to do everything perfectly, and it’s not perfect. So, let it go. Mistakes are going to happen. We can correct mistakes. But we’ve got to play fast, too. So, that’s what my emphasis is this camp. Just trying to play fast and loose.”

Devonte Wyatt

There can be a debate as to whether Jaire Alexander or Devonte Wyatt has been the best player for the Packers' defense in camp.

That's a major compliment to a player who did not play a lot as a rookie. It speaks to how far Wyatt has come in one offseason. He's been dominant in one-on-ones and team drills, showing power, speed and intelligence.

“It’s been amazing,” Wyatt said last week of working with position coach Jerry Montgomery. “I’m really grateful to have Coach Jerry because he definitely brought my game to the next level. He definitely has been helping me with the small things, the small keys. He’s definitely a great man and a great coach, and I’m grateful to have him.”

Wyatt will face a Bengals offensive line that has had some struggles in Joe Burrow's career. He has an opportunity to dominate and further stamp his status as 2023's breakout player. 

Christian Watson 

Christian Watson is expected to be the Packers' top receiver in 2023. He had a strong finish to the 2022 season, and is looking to carry that over.

The Packers have used him all over the formation and will look to do more of that.

This will be the first competitive environment of 2023 in which Watson will be facing an opponent as the team's top receiver. A Cincinnati defense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL in opponent passer rating will pose a big test.

How he performs against the Bengals' corners and where he lines up are both points of intrigue. A few big plays should give the Packers a lot of confidence that they have a potential star on their hands that is coming into his own. 

More Green Bay Packers News

For the evening crowd - a great story from @AlbertBreer came out yesterday. The #Packers had their eyes opened by Jordan Loves performance in Philadelphia last year.

Was that just a flash or something more? The Packers want to know.

https://t.co/Q7fgtQkJ3i

— Jacob Westendorf (@JacobWestendorf) August 8, 2023

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