Randy from Klamath Falls, OR

I’m flying in for the game on Saturday. I get to read the Inbox in Green Bay in the morning. How cool is that?

Hopefully even cooler now that you’re batting leadoff.

Johnny from Nasewaupee, WI

II, good to see a story about the tight ends. Each year since the days of Mark Chmura, I hold out hope that GB tight ends will play a more significant/impactful/valuable role as pass receivers. Do you think that might happen this year or more of the same as extra offensive linemen?

If there was ever a year, this is it. The Packers have two legitimate playmakers in Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, and both are *knock on wood* healthy right now. Green Bay and its injury-riddled receiving corps were struggling to get the downfield passing game going against Seattle, but Kraft and Musgrave stepped up and set the tone for the No. 1 offense in the joint practice.

Good morning gentlemen and all Insiders. Do you ever see anyone breaking the scoring record of Mason Crosby? Ryan Longwell was great and he’s No. 2 on the team I believe. One last question, what are your hopes for Week 1 besides the win? Health is mine.

My hope is that all the receivers are back, and this offense can start the regular season as close to 100% as possible. I don’t see anyone breaking Crosby’s scoring record in my lifetime. So many things had to line up for Crosby to play 16 seasons here, including the amount of points the Packers scored. The position is skewing younger these days, too, with fewer kickers playing into their 40s anymore.

Insiders, I was at Thursday’s scrimmage with Seattle. I had a front row seat to watch Christian Watson run. Wow, even when he does not run hard, you can see how fast, graceful and fluid he is. I hope we can get him healthy, and back on the field. With Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden, Josh Jacobs, and Watson on the field at the same time, good things will happen. Also, from what I saw, Kraft looks unstoppable.

Based on what you outlined, that’s why I feel it’s critical for the Packers to get most/all their receivers back. If they can, this is the deepest collection of playmakers I can recall at running back, receiver and tight end in Green Bay…and they can all make each other’s lives easier. Kraft had a good day aside from the fumble.

Early in camp it was noted that the defense was working more at punching balls out to create more fumbles. Since then, I haven’t heard or read anything about increased fumbles. Has that stopped being a focus in camp?

It’s an emphasis, not a prophecy. The Packers punched at the ball during the joint practice with the Colts and Javon Bullard forced a fumble. They did the same against the Seahawks, but the ball didn’t come out. The opponent isn’t just going to give you the ball, but the effort has to be there to make it happen.

Wes, you discussed roster flexibility on “Packers Unscripted.” Is there a max number of players who will be rostered, on the PS, or designated as IR next Wednesday (or whenever)? Sounds to me like the Packers could have closer to 75 players under team control considering all those on IR in one form or fashion.

Fair observation. If the Packers designate two players to return and place all three eligible players (Christian Watson, Collin Oliver and John Williams) on regular-season PUP, they could have up to 76 contracted players (53 active, 17 practice squad, three PUP, two IRDTR and Travis Glover on season-ending IR).

Jeff from Indian Lake, NY

Wes mentioned this the other day, but Keisean Nixon‘s rise is truly incredible. When we signed him a few years back I don’t believe he was on anyone’s radar even as a returner. More so just a special teams ace who could help the other players get up to speed in Rich Bisaccia’s system. Meteoric may not be strong enough. Is there someone on this roster with that potential in them? I suppose that’s the million-dollar question?

I think it’s more a lesson in why teams have to be patient with players and provide them with opportunities than necessarily projecting which undrafted free agent could be the next Nixon. As I alluded to in my previous post, the Raiders’ decision to non-tender both Nixon and Alec Ingold in the 2022 offseason made absolutely zero sense. Their mistake worked to the benefit of both Green Bay and Miami.