Just hours after we last met with Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur, his rookie season took a dramatic and painful turn.
After last Wednesday's OTA practice, LaFleur and a few other staff members got together for a pick-up basketball game at the gym inside Lambeau Field. He went up for a rebound and when he came down, thought he was kicked in the back of his left leg. LaFleur turned around and nobody was there.
He knew exactly what happened.
Snap goes the Achilles tendon.
I can empathize with the coach. About 10 years ago, same thing happened to me, also playing hoops. I simply got into a defensive stance at the top of the key and went down when my right Achilles popped.
The injury wasn't all that painful but when I visited briefly with LaFleur after practice today, I told him the rehabilitation is a real beast.
The Packers held their final open practice during the three weeks of organized team activities and after about 30 minutes, LaFleur rolled onto Clarke Hinkle Field in a neatly tricked up golf cart.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst hopped into the passenger seat and they spent the rest of the session driving around to observe the drills.
When practice ended, LaFleur traded the golf cart for a padded roller scooter to visit with the media.
LaFleur opened the press conference with a little self-effacing humor:
(Audio: Matt LaFleur)
As for the practice itself, two notable players were absent in Davante Adams and Mercedes Lewis.
Josh Jones has missed all of the voluntary OTA's working out on his own.
Mike Daniels, Greg Roberts and Javien Hamilton sat it out with injury.
The team continues to be cautious with Bryan Bulaga. During team periods, Billy Turner worked with the starters at right tackle and draft pick Elgton Jenkins got first team reps at right guard.
The plays of the day were turned in by James Crawford and Jimmy Graham.
Crawford raced to the flat and intercepted a soft throw from Tim Boyle and sprinted up the sideline for what would have been a pick six with nearly the entire defensive roster in tow whooping it up.
Aaron Rodgers got his a bit later when he found Graham down the middle, behind the linebackers and splitting the safeties for a long touchdown. The ball was a tad off target but Graham made a terrific catch.
A couple of off-field notes: Jordy Nelson confirmed he'll sign a one day contract and officially retire as a Packer later this summer and the third pre-season game in August will indeed go international.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League will announced on Wednesday that the Oakland Raiders will host the Packers in their stadium in late August.