A Green Bay Packers rookie had a bad start to his NFL career.
The Green Bay Packers had a successful 2024 NFL Draft, choosing 12 rookies across seven rounds and preparing for many position battles in training camp. They also signed interesting undrafted free agents in the days following the draft to provide depth and competitiveness to their roster.
The rookie minicamp is a wonderful opportunity to get a first look at these talents. The Packers hosted rookie minicamp this weekend to determine who will make the training camp roster and whether they would have a shot to make the 53-man final squad.
James Ester, a defensive tackle, was one of the Packers hoping to impress in the minicamp and make the rotation for next season. Unfortunately, the Northern Illinois standout sustained an upper-body injury on Saturday, according to Matt Schneidman.
Packers news: UDFA James Ester sustains injury during rookie minicamp.
The Packers and Ester reached an agreement following the 2024 NFL Draft on April 30. He served as the team captain for four years and was named Northern Illinois’ MVP twice. In 43 starts, he has 121 tackles, 20 for a loss, and nine sacks. In 2023, he ranked 23rd among all interior defenders in terms of run-stop percentage.
Green Bay did not draft a defensive end or interior defensive lineman this season, but the position remains packed for the Packers. Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clark are expected to start at tackle, with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary on the outside.
Recent draft picks Karl Brooks, Jonathan Ford, and Colby Wooden make up the remainder of the depth at the position, thus Ester may have a difficult struggle for a roster place. Hopefully, the injury he sustained at the minicamp doesn’t hinder him.
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