Three Packers players who need to have a good performance in the joint practice with the Ravens

The Green Bay Packers haven't had a great opportunity for true evaluation this preseason. In week 1, the Packers played their starters , but the Cleveland Browns went with backups for the most part. Against the Denver Broncos , it was the opposite.

Head coach Matt LaFleur hasn't decided if the Packers will have their starters on the field for the preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday at Lambeau Field, but the coaching staff knows the best chance for evaluations is the joint practice on Thursday.

The activity in Green Bay will be particularly important for these three players.

Jordan Morgan

The rookie first-round pick hasn't participated in team drills since he suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago. Especially for a first-year player, training camp and preseason games are extremely valuable experiences, so Morgan, who returned to practice with individual drills last week, has to make up for the time lost.

The Packers want him to start at right guard from the get go, and it would be harder to execute that plan if he doesn't have any type of NFL game experience before week 1 of the regular season. The joint practice with the Ravens and possibly the game (if he's able to play) might determine if Morgan will be a starter when the Packers face the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

Quay Walker

Walker is a much more important piece for the Packers this year than he used to be. First, he transitioned to middle linebacker, a new role with more responsibilities. Walker will use the green dot helmet in 2024, responsible for communicating the plays called by Jeff Hafley to his teammates on the field.

Rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper will probably not have any immediate impact (be it for injuries, inexperience, or lack of readiness), which means Walker's own performance is even more relevant for Green Bay to have capable linebacker play alongside Isaiah McDuffie.

Practicing against a well-designed passing offense like the Ravens have under offensive coordinator Todd Monken is a good test for what's ahead.

Sean Clifford

Clifford finished the Denver Broncos game with a 30.4 passer rating. Even after being praised by quarterbacks coach Tom Clements during last week, Clifford is not a roster lock. Joint practice is useful for starters and Jordan Love will have an opportunity to bounce back after a tough day against the Broncos last Friday, but the activity is certainly more relevant for Clifford because his job is on the line.

If the backup quarterback can't separate himself from seventh-round rookie Michael Pratt this week, it will make less sense to keep him on the 53-man roster — he has a lower chance of getting claimed off waivers, a higher salary, and a shorter contract.

Related: What the Packers can still do to get better at quarterback behind Jordan Love