87 watches 87: Jordy Nelson visits practice, sees old friends—and meets the ‘new’ guy, Romeo Doubs | Pro football

The retired pass-catching star was there together with his spouse, Emily, and the couple’s three kids, and each quarterback Aaron Rodgers and broad receiver Randall Cobb — two of Nelson’s closest pals — posed for images with him throughout breaks in follow.

Throughout these breaks, Cobb made positive he let Nelson know the brand new child, Doubs, was representing his outdated quantity properly.

“I informed him we would have a brand new ’87,’ so we’ll see. After which I used to be messing with Romeo that ‘the actual 87’ was right here. So I used to be giving somewhat back-and-forth with each of them,” Cobb defined after follow. “But it surely was nice to see him and have him again round.”

No fewer than a half-dozen sideline observers informed Nelson the identical factor about Doubs that Cobb had after they crossed paths with him.

“That’s what I’ve heard,” Nelson replied to considered one of them with a chuckle.

Nelson, who introduced his retirement in August 2019 after 10 seasons with the Packers and one with the Oakland Raiders, was a 2008 second-round choose from Kansas State and emerged as one of many staff’s best pass-catchers, breaking by through the Tremendous Bowl XLV-winning season in 2010. The Packers launched him following the 2017 season, most of which Rodgers missed with a damaged collarbone.

On the time of his launch, Nelson had caught 550 passes (third-most in Packers franchise historical past) for 7,848 yards (fifth) and 69 touchdowns (second). Davante Adams subsequently surpassed him in all three classes and likewise broke Nelson’s 2014 single-season document for receiving yards final 12 months.

“It’s loopy to suppose I’m nonetheless right here doing it and he’s dwelling on the farm hanging out. However, that’s what it’s all about,” mentioned Cobb, who together with spouse Aiyda is placing the Nelsons up at their dwelling for a number of days. “I have a look at him as a brother. I did a variety of rising, and he’s an enormous piece of who I’ve grow to be due to the person he’s and the values he has.

“It’s nice to see him once more and spend a while.”

Coach Matt LaFleur received’t say if Friday evening’s annual Household Evening follow will function dwell tackling, saying he’s nonetheless contemplating it.

“Probably,” LaFleur mentioned. “I’m going to maintain you guys on the sting of your seats.”

LaFleur and the coaches should weigh the worth of the game-like surroundings and full contact in opposition to the dangers. The annual occasion was a full-fledged scrimmage till veteran left sort out Bryan Bulaga suffered a season-ending knee harm through the 2013 occasion, and common supervisor Brian Gutekunst admitted he’s so much like his predecessor on the subject of mitigating danger to gamers.

“I’ve acquired a variety of Ted Thompson in me. I’m seeing a few of these guys on the market who’re actually keen and enjoying very well proper now and also you wish to bubble wrap them till September and inventory them away,” Gutekunst mentioned. “On the identical time, I believe you actually need this time to return collectively as a staff, as a unit. The timing on offense and protection and all of the various things for us to return out of the gates with a great begin is vital.”

LaFleur mentioned he and Gutekunst have mentioned including one other working again if Patrick Taylor (groin) stays sidelined. With Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon unlikely to play in subsequent Friday’s preseason opener at San Francisco, the Packers have solely two different working backs on the roster. “Definitely we do not wish to go into the primary preseason recreation with two backs,” LaFleur mentioned. … LaFleur’s irritation with a malfunctioning JUGS machine has led to a brand new one being bought. “We’ve acquired one on order. So it’ll be right here hopefully within the subsequent couple of days,” LaFleur mentioned, smiling after his diatribe earlier within the week. … Veteran security Adrian Amos put an finish to the starters-vs.-starters 2-minute drill by intercepting Rodgers throughout the center, whereas the Jordan Love-led No. 2 offense additionally failed to achieve the tip zone. … Broad receiver Osirus Mitchell (quadriceps), broad receiver Malik Taylor (shoulder) and offensive lineman Cole Schneider (ankle) remained sidelined, however no new accidents had been reported. … Rookie fourth-round choose Zach Tom stays within the working for a beginning spot, because the every-other-day line rotation continued with Yosh Nijman at left sort out, Jon Runyan at left guard, Josh Myers at heart, Royce Newman at proper guard and Tom at proper sort out. Tom has now performed each spot on the road besides heart in camp.