Packers excuse veterans from minicamp, practice with more watching from sideline

The Green Bay Packers kicked off their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. While the media and fans may have noticed the complete absence of veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, the number of players present but unable to participate reached double digits.

With Green Bay receiving an extra week of offseason practice due to the team's Hall of Fame game appearance in early August, head coach Mike McCarthy decided to excuse 15 veterans players from the three-day minicamp. By doing so, the Packers shifted extra work and spotlight onto their younger players, in particular backup quarterback Brett Hundley.

Yet not all of the available players managed to take the field Tuesday. Starting center Corey Linsley headlines the list of Packers watching minicamp from the sidelines. Linsley missed time during OTAs earlier in June as well, but the team has yet to disclose why he continues to sit out.

Outside of Linsley, few of the team's non-participants play on offense. Of the others -- 2015 third-round wideout Ty Montgomery, reserve offensive lineman Don Barclay and undrafted rookie tailback Don Jackson -- only Montgomery's absence comes as no surprise, as the receiver continues to recover from an ankle surgery performed in late December.

The below list contains the full list of players present but not practicing during Tuesday's minicamp:

· OL Don Barclay

· LB Sam Barrington

· CB Robertson Daniel

· CB Demetri Goodson

· RB Don Jackson

· C Corey Linsley

· DE B.J. McBryde

· LB Lerentee McCray

· WR Ty Montgomery

· LB Joe Thomas