The Green Bay Packers are going into 2025 expecting to compete for a championship.  The Jordan Love Era has gotten off to a great start, making the playoffs in back to back seasons.  However, the team feels they added enough weapons this off-season to be in the championship conversations.

Unfortunately, day one of training camp left some brutal news for Green Bay.

Breaking: Packers Announce Terrible Injury News On 1st Day Of Training Camp (Report)

Jan 12, 2020; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of a NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2020; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of a NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

During the offseason, Green Bay’s now-center Elgton Jenkins opted not to participate in OTAs and minicamps over contract disputes. In spite of that, the former guard still attended offensive line mandatory sessions and mentored younger players:

As training camp starts up for the Packers, Jenkins still will not be available.

Jenkins was placed on the non-football injury list due to an unknown back injury. Details of how or when the injury occurred were not disclosed, but general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur expressed their excitement for the center to get back to work once he’s healthy.

“Hopefully, he’ll be out there soon. All these guys need as many reps as they can get. Obviously, [Jenkins] probably less than most, but getting them out there will be important,” Gutekunst said. “[He’s] always done right by us. I think we’ve always done right by him. And we’re excited to be able to do that.

Filling in for injured center Josh Myers, Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) provides pass protection during the second quarter of their game against Detroit Lions Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Filling in for injured center Josh Myers, Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) provides pass protection during the second quarter of their game against Detroit Lions Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“We’re excited to kind of see him move to this new position because we really do think he has an opportunity to really help our football team. Certainly, he played center in college and he was excellent at it. Our football team needs as many reps with him out there as possible, but we’ve got to get to this back thing first.”

Alongside working through his back injury, both parties need to come to a financial agreement as a result of the position change. Green Bay needs Jenkins back to solidify its offensive line, find stability, and get him reps at center ahead of the 2025 regular season.

“I think a lot of times [center] can often be overlook[ed] in regards to all the nuances that position entails. You are the guy making all the calls . . . The only other guy other than the quarterback that touches the ball on every play and there’s nothing more important than that,” LaFleur said. “So just the ability for really the entire offense to get off on the snap count, a lot of that rests on the shoulder of the center.”

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) takes a snap from offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during the eighth practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) takes a snap from offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during the eighth practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin