5 Things to Watch in Packers vs Vikings: Will Yosh Nijman Get a Chance?
Could Nijman replace Rasheed Walker in the starting lineup this week?
By markoldacres

Tucker Kraft
With Luke Musgrave’s status for Sunday’s game up in the air, there could be a hole to fill at tight end.
Second-round pick Musgrave suffered an ankle injury versus Denver and was unable to practice until Friday, when he did so in a limited capacity.
Drafted in the following round, Kraft has not adapted to the NFL quite as quickly as Musgrave and has seen his snaps limited as a result, with Josiah Deguara and even undrafted rookie Ben Sims trusted over him at times.
Discussing Kraft before the game, head coach Matt LaFleur said: “He’s going to have to play big for us this week”.
Kenny Clark
Speaking of players who need to step up, Clark is looking for a bounce back performance after a disappointing showing against the Broncos.
The Packers defensive line goes as Clark goes, as the Pro-Bowl defensive tackle is surrounded by youth and inexperience. It is nothing new for him to be the anchor of the line, but it is now more noticeable than ever when he does not play up to par.
Clark has traditionally feasted on the Vikings offensive line, so a game versus Minnesota might be just what the doctor ordered for him to get back on track.
Will Yosh Nijman get a chance?
Despite playing well in the preseason and moving ahead of Nijman on the depth chart, Rasheed Walker has struggled since being thrust into the starting lineup in David Bakhtiari’s absence.
That is nothing out of the ordinary for a former seventh-round pick in his first real NFL action, but the pressure being given up by the offensive line is making Jordan Love’s life difficult.
Nijman may be in the doghouse based on some previous comments by offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, but he has played at a solid level in the past and a shakeup may be required to buy Love some more time in the pocket, even if it denies Walker the opportunity to develop faster.
Offensive execution
Whether it is the offensive line, the skill position players or the quarterback, the Packers have been fighting an uphill battle just to execute plays this season.
The growing pains of an especially young roster were to be expected, but there seems to be a different error committed by a different player on almost every play at the moment. Moving the ball with any level of consistency has been a challenge of late.
Some blame must be placed on the coaching staff, who need to do a better job of getting their players up to speed. The season is still relatively young, but improvements need to be seen in the coming weeks.
The safety rotation
With Darnell Savage now on injured reserve, the safety depth chart looks shakier than ever in Green Bay.
Savage had not exactly returned to the peak performances the Packers saw from him in 2020, and Rudy Ford has brought his serviceable play from 2022 into 2023, so it is up for debate how much Savage will truly be missed.
The question now is, who will pair with Ford in the new look defensive backfield? Jonathan Owens will almost certainly get the first crack at starting, but Zayne Anderson (confirmed recently as a real person) is finally healthy and could get an opportunity to perform.
Could Anthony Johnson Jr., who is yet to see the field in his rookie season but is Green Bay’s only safety locked in for the long term, be thrown in for his first snaps?
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (30)
splitpea1
October 28, 2023 at 03:28 pm
On defense, job number one is to contain Hockenson, and then make sure Addison doesn't slip any tackles. I'm looking for some sacks and some turnovers because that might be our best chance of winning.
Will we finally see Campbell and/or Alexander? If so, it might be on a "pitch count", a term that's getting annoying.
BruceC1960
October 28, 2023 at 04:45 pm
Kadeem Telford and James Empey
What happened to Packers developing o-line? We only have 2 o-line on the practice squad ( tackle Kadeem Telford and Center James Empey). The 4 o-line non-starters on the 53 are just taking up space. Are we afraid to play them? Yosh seems to be the only option for a change.
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2023 at 10:40 am
Who?
CanPackFan
October 28, 2023 at 04:46 pm
To address the question posed in the article title, I would be surprised if Steno put Yosh in over one his favorites, Walker. Just like Myers. Steno abides by his ego, favoritism and the definition of insanity- if you don't change something, how can u expect a different result? Incredible that MLF doesn't give him a demotion and a good kick in the a**.
Coldworld
October 28, 2023 at 06:03 pm
Just like Hanson ….
Stenovich is clearly not in a position he is competent to occupy. He’s has now essentially confirmed that without intending to. A competent Head Coach would have intervened by now. We don’t have one.
Nothing changes over a bye or off-season in LaLa LaFleur land.
vin0770
October 29, 2023 at 08:46 am
Awful combination of a QB and OC that don’t have a clue and now grasping at straws. I actually feel sorry for them because they don’t have a vision how fix this and it will be throwing more $hit and see what sticks.
Watch this:
https://youtu.be/LY0rPTVx0kg?si=XbJfaMORBdyR5IHB
NickPerry
October 28, 2023 at 05:49 pm
At the start of the season I never in my wildest dreams would have thought the Packers have absolutely nothing to hang their hats on before playing their 7th game of the year.
Whether it's the QB, RB, O-Line, or any other position I thought for sure the Packers would have at least one thing they do well. One thing they can trust in. But after 6 games there's NOTHING.
Sorry but this has just gotten really depressing. It's not just they have nothing to hang their hats on, this entire staff is clueless how to make it even a little better. For those of you who never saw teams like the 1986 Packers, that team which was lead by Randy Wright. This one is WORSE, at least IMO. At least that team had James Lofton.
Mark Tausher said this week he thinks the Vikings will be coming in feeling a little too good about themselves, and the Packers will whoop up on them. I hope that happens. I hope Jordon Love suddenly starts lighting them up, the WRs and TEs start running the right routes, and Aaron Jones ACTUALLY gets touches.
I guess we'll see tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath...
BruceC1960
October 28, 2023 at 05:59 pm
Hope Tausher is right, but kind of seems like a reach.
The most disappointing thing to me is that I don’t see where we are building on anything to make next year better.
Packers1985
October 28, 2023 at 11:29 pm
Hopefully, I am feeling the same that the Viks will be coming to Lambeau with over confidence and Lafluer and co set up a good plan for the team to succeed. I feel the defense will be able to stop their offense as vikings dont have a Running game and also with out JJ.
Go Pack Go
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2023 at 10:41 am
The entire O-line may be replaced, if they get competent management and kleen haus.
vin0770
October 29, 2023 at 08:50 am
It’s a very sad situation and the WB and OC are lost. I’ll continue to say the same thing as a Cheesehead I’m hopeful but not optimistic.
Watch this and cry, you finally get the camera that shows the entire field:
https://youtu.be/LY0rPTVx0kg?si=XbJfaMORBdyR5IHB
White92
October 28, 2023 at 06:19 pm
So are they just young, or are they young and not very good? Hard to tell right now if these receivers are good or are they the next Amari, St Brown, and MVS? I'm not super confident any of them figure it out. To me, Wicks is the most intriguing.
PackerBO
October 28, 2023 at 06:32 pm
I would say, young and not good. 5 years in with Gute, it is definitely his team and this is the team he has built.
Grandfathered
October 28, 2023 at 06:45 pm
I think that Anthony Johnson Jr. has already seen his first few snaps at safety last week. I don't think he shows up in th stats yet.
stockholder
October 28, 2023 at 08:01 pm
The 'Lambeau mystique' doesn't exist anymore.”
My Belief is the packers will tank.
And they only need to keep starting Love to do it.
The first half is the key to any game.
It sets the tone for the game. And Quality of play.
We have a scared QB now. Love is a Loser.
He’s inadequate, Insufficient, and lacks Consistency.
And truthfully a sub could show who is the problem.
The screams for Love hurt Rodgers. And Staff.
But if we see one more 1/2 with a zero.
My scream will be for Clifford.
Before the Packers go over the cliff, for good.
LeotisHarris
October 28, 2023 at 08:15 pm
"We have a scared QB now. Love is a Loser.
He’s inadequate, Insufficient, and lacks Consistency."
A Loser? Jordan Love lost his dad to suicide at age 14. He's a healthy, well-adjusted, resilient young man with the skill set to be a successful NFL quarterback. Have the same patience you had for that skinny, injury-prone kid from Cal, little buddy. You're old enough to understand how to be patient, right?
And, of course, you're free to scream for whomever you want. Maybe try yelling at a cloud while you're at it. Pretty much the same outcome.
stockholder
October 28, 2023 at 08:40 pm
Look- I get what you're saying.
But;
Just Stop condemning everyone but Love.
His past has nothing to do with the microscope now.
We need points on the board. !!!!
And if he can't do it.
Put the next guy in who might.
Patience won't keep us from going over the cliff.
We have a history of QB failures.
As well as coaches.
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2023 at 10:46 am
Now you're defending LaFluer ?
PearlyBakerBest
October 29, 2023 at 07:43 am
“You're old enough to understand how to be patient, right?”
It’s been my experience that the older generations patience has run out.
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2023 at 10:44 am
It seems the first 15 Plays scripts were written in gibberish, or follow instructions from Vegas.
RobinsonDavis
October 28, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Preach, Mark! Totally agree!
To me they lost the opportunity to use and trade Nijman, if they don't like him. But we all know they paid dollars expecting him to be their swing tackle for the season, yet Walker starts. They need to give Jordan every chance possible, and although Nijman may not be Bahkt, he is serviceable. Play him, at least for awhile. Let Walker sit for awhile and bring him back or give Caleb an opportunity later. I really believe we need to build Jordan's confidence more than any OT (regardless of doghouse issues).
Most of us see the talent in the players, but it is raw. For god's sake, set these guys up for success by being aggressive early with your play calls. It appears to me, that MLF has lost confidence in his offense and hopes to keep games tight by conservative play calling. We know that they will make LOTS of mistakes, but let's keep their collective enthusiasm up, by allowing them to make plays. BUILD their confidence through play design, moderately aggressive play calls, old-fashioned, passionate coaching and encouragement.
coolhand
October 29, 2023 at 11:47 am
If Walker does start, keep an eye on him and see how pathetic he is, either giving up on blocks or getting pushed back into Love. How this guy is starting and the coaches think he has talent I don't understand.
TxFred
October 29, 2023 at 06:57 am
If Flores & his defense continue with his blitz style game, FINALLY this O Line will get exposed. Discussions & serious questions have got to be asked. Even the low informed entertainment fan will wake up.
Dillion & Jones will have tough time running with no O Line support. Spend more time chip blocking & picking up blitz's.
I would like to see JL have a great short game. 5 to 20 yards should be open with all the blitzing.
Finally, I want to see "Killer instinct" attitude from this team. Hate the Vikes as much as they hate us. Try some good old ass kicking football. I know MLF and his fucking non-violent, docile, passive, non-aggressiveness style is dead in the NFL. But go ahead the try it for a change. GPG!
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2023 at 10:48 am
Why chip the Blitzers, run Power right at them. See who has any spine on the O-line unit.
WD
October 29, 2023 at 07:34 am
I find it puzzling that neither Nijman nor Caleb Jones has been given a chance to play in what is arguably one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Who would have thought that the O-line would be the Achilles heel for the Packers. An offense can only be as good as it's O-line. Period.
jannesbjornson
October 29, 2023 at 10:53 am
We knew their weakness, last season. The two Pro Bowl guys were playing with bad knees, the center was on skates, Runyan with limited power and the RTs MIA. Tom looks to be a guy who may stick. They may have to use the first three picks on OTs and a Guard. I would.
Jaqu’eau
October 29, 2023 at 09:00 am
Well done, I agree that these are the areas that will determine the game. Having said that, and I hope this does not come true, but look for the vikings to get there first rushing td of the season, and their only one of the game! GPG!!
TarynsEyes
October 29, 2023 at 09:29 am
The Vikings should be able to get this team driven enough to play better then has been witnessed the last few weeks, and I beleive that will happen and have GB getting the win. It likely won't be a dominant look, but a lost here is a closing of the book on the season, and possibly any future with Love at QB. This is a must win game to justify any retention of hope for any Love filled future.
BruceC1960
October 29, 2023 at 09:48 am
Love could play a good/better game and the Packers could still lose.
I like your optimism though.
SinceLombardi
October 29, 2023 at 12:42 pm
After 1 quarter I would say some other things to watch are:
How bad Alexander gets burned
How many penalties we get
Will they score any points in the first half
When will they quit
And of course on Monday, how many minutes into the presser before MLF says the guys played hard?