Week 1 targets a tight end showdown as Sam LaPorta eyes a plus matchup against Green Bay while Ben Johnson’s absence as play-caller adds a wrinkle to Detroit’s offense. LaPorta’s red-zone involvement from late last season and a strong week-to-go stretch suggest hefty usage near the goal line, even with some camp injury chatter. Across the league, Mark Andrews offers redemption odds against Buffalo, leveraging a top red-zone grade (88.9) and a seven-of-10 red-zone TD run to close last season. Bills’ defense allowed red-zone TDs at the sixth-worst clip last year, setting a cliff-face for Week 1 props.

Two TE prop bets stand out: LaPorta at +190 and Andrews at +140. PFF’s Player Props tool adds matchup context, historical hit rates and red-zone leverage to back the angle. LaPorta’s matchup against Green Bay hinges on coverage strength from Quay Walker, who posted a 50.6 PFF coverage grade last season and is coming off ankle surgery. Andrews brings a red-zone toolkit refined by volume and red-zone threat rate, positioning him as a prime play in Week 1’s TD markets. Health and camp signals will steer Week 1 projections as teams seek to feature their top playmakers early.

The Packers opened their preseason with a cautious approach, sitting 13 players while hosting the Jets at Lambeau Field. Among those rested were Quay Walker, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Xavier McKinney, Nate Hobbs and Rasheed Walker, with a handful of others also sidelined by injuries. Jordan Love started the game but the offense leaned on depth players, giving a peek at how the roster answers the bell when top talent returns. The lineup shuffle underscores the ongoing evaluation phase for young pass-catchers and backs, and fantasy managers will want to monitor how reinforcements fill in once the regulars are back in action. The Jets provided a test, and coaches used the opportunity to gauge how the Green Bay depth chart handles more prominent roles in Weeks 1 and 2 of the regular season.

Green Bay’s 53-man roster projection tightens the competition across all units ahead of joint practices and a Jets preseason opener. Two quarterbacks are kept, with Jordan Love as the unquestioned starter and Malik Willis as the clear-cut backup, while Sean Clifford or Taylor Elgersma could land on the practice squad. The Packers carry four running backs and six wideouts, a routine that hinges on Watson’s PUP status and Hardman’s established NFL resume to anchor the aerial attack. Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick headline a three-man tight end corps. On the line, nine blockers anchor a top-heavy OL, while the defensive front leans on Georgia rookies Brinson and Stackhouse alongside Colby Wooden and Devonte Wyatt. The edge group, linebackers, corners, and safeties battle for defined roles in a crowded defense, with special teams providing stability. Fantasy implications center on Love’s continued QB stability, Willis’s early-season readiness, and a high-upside WR trio in Hardman, Doubs, and Reed, plus Musgrave/Kraft as potential TE sleepers. The Jets loom as the preseason foe and a reminder that rookies must prove value quickly in a tight cap-cut environment.

As the Green Bay Packers gear up for the 2025 season, the focus shifts to their off-ball linebackers, crucial for defensive success. The core will likely be led by Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper, both expected to dominate. Walker's foot injury raises questions about his readiness, while Cooper's progress could be pivotal. Meanwhile, Isaiah Simmons, a former top draft pick, seeks to revitalize his career in Green Bay. The team's strategy with the third linebacker spot remains a key consideration, as veteran Isaiah McDuffie and promising rookies like Ty'Ron Hopper and Jamon Johnson vie for playing time.

Coaches will need to leverage the unique strengths of each player, considering situational roles as they prepare for a challenging season ahead. The versatility of Simmons and the speed of Hopper could offer varied schemes that keep opponents guessing. This training camp will be pivotal in determining how the Packers will utilize their linebacker corps as they look to build on past playoff experiences and aim for a deeper run in 2025.

The Green Bay Packers have announced their injury list ahead of the training camp, which begins on July 23. Star linebacker Quay Walker has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, alongside wide receiver Christian Watson, who is working through a torn ACL sustained during the last regular game of the previous season. Walker's absence may impact the team's defensive strategy as he is a key player in their lineup.

Additionally, rookies Collin Oliver and Micah Robinson will also begin training camp on the PUP list. Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins has been placed on the non-football injury list. Watson's potential placement on injured reserve means he could miss at least four games, making an already challenging situation more difficult for the Packers.