The Packers got one last real look at training camp competition on Wednesday, and the joint practice with the Cardinals gave them plenty to sort through before they turn the page to the preseason finale and roster cuts to 53 players.
For stretches, Green Bay looked sharp. At other moments, the whole operation stalled out. That’s the story of the day, really: some clean wins, some messy finishes, and a few individual performances that stood out for better and worse.
The early part of practice belonged to the Packers. Rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse jumped Jacoby Brissett for an interception and returned it for a fake touchdown, setting the tone on defense. On the other side of the ball, Jordan Love came out firing, hitting Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed and Christian Watson repeatedly as the Packers’ offense worked through the Cardinals’ defense.
That opening burst fit with what Green Bay showed on its first drive against the Denver Broncos last week, and it came at a useful time. With most starters unlikely to see much, if any, action in Week 3 of the preseason, this was the last meaningful chance to test those top groups against another team’s first-unit talent.
Golden kept making his case. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that Love found the second-year receiver on a 45-yard deep ball for a touchdown early in practice, another reminder that Golden has been one of the bright spots of camp.
Jordan Love/Matthew Golden with the first big play of the day - 45-yard deep ball TD between Buddha Baker and Denzel Burke.
- Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 26, 2026
Golden did have one costly miss later, dropping a touchdown during the two-minute work, but that didn’t erase what has been a strong camp overall. He’s been one of Love’s most reliable targets throughout training camp, and the bigger question now is whether that production carries into actual games.
Last year, Golden flashed in practice but often took a back seat on game days. This time around, Packers fans are hoping for a different outcome.
The finish, though, was rough on both sides of the ball. In the two-minute drills, Green Bay’s starting offense couldn’t get a score in any of its chances from the offense’s 30-yard line. Golden’s drop in the back of the end zone was part of the problem, and Love was then “sacked” on fourth down.
“I think we started off the day really hot and we were making a lot of plays,” Love said after practice (via Bill Huber of Packers On SI). “And I think towards the end, we didn't finish as well.
That's obviously something we've harped on throughout the offseason, throughout training camp. So, I think that was the lowest point of the day was just (the) finish.”
The defense didn’t close things out much better. Keisean Nixon couldn’t stop Michael Wilson on a 4th-and-2 completion and then drew pass interference on another throw. The Cardinals capped the day when Marvin Harrison Jr. made a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone over Brandon Cisse.
There was some personnel news tucked into the practice as well. Safety Javon Bullard returned after missing two weeks with a foot injury that had him in a boot since August 10.
He said at the time that he’d be back quickly, and that proved accurate. His return matters for a defense trying to get healthy before Week 1, even with Kamal Hadden holding things down in his absence.
The Packers also remain without defensive lineman Warren Brinson, who was sidelined again after tweaking his calf while warming up before last week’s game against the Broncos. Matt LaFleur had already suggested Brinson might miss time, and he still doesn’t appear close to being ready for the opener.
Special teams brought another familiar wrinkle. Rookie kicker Trey Smack continued to be excellent in games but shaky on the practice field, going 2-for-5 on Wednesday. He missed wide left from 33 yards, wide right from 45, and was short and right from 58, according to those on hand.
Then there’s Tyrod Taylor, whose camp has quietly turned into one of the more interesting subplots. The veteran backup struggled again, throwing an interception during the backup offense’s two-minute work when Isaiah Neyor got a hand on the ball and it was picked off. Combined with the preseason games, it’s fair to wonder whether there’s a real battle developing behind him, even if Kyle McCord taking over remains unlikely.
Taylor will get another chance on Friday against the Cardinals, and the Packers will be looking for something steadier from him than what Wednesday delivered.
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