Packers Training Camp Practice Notebook 7/31: Burnett Steps Up

The Packers wore full pads for the second time in as many days Wednesday. After a practice in which Mike McCarthy felt the defense dominated, the offense failed to bounce back as strongly as the Packers had hoped. Here are the significant developments of Wednesday's practice:

• Today was M.D. Jennings' turn with the starting defense (TD). Both he and Jerron McMillian have switched off playing with the starters throughout camp, and as of yet there's no indication who's taken the lead. McMillian has practiced well, though. If Jennings can't keep up, he risks losing snaps.
• Morgan Burnett played ferociously throughout practice today. In 7-on-7, Burnett laid a punishing hit on tight end Jake Stoneburner (TD). Over the course of the day, Burnett compiled an interception, several pass break ups, and multiple big hits (RD). This is the type of play the Packers had in mind when they extended him earlier this month.
• The running backs collectively looked strong today (TS). Angelo Pease continues to surprise, this time with his hesitation move waiting for his block and then shooting up the middle (TS). Eddie Lacy had a nice blitz pick up on Robert Francois (TS) while also knocking down Datone Jones to finish off one of his runs (TD).
• Following a series of nondescript practices, Graham Harrell threw some of his finest passes today. He connected with James Jones in 7-on-7 to burn rookie corner Micah Hyde for a would-be touchdown (WH). As we noted in yesterday's coverage of McCarthy's press conference, the Packers' two reserve quarterbacks are going to compete into the preseason for the backup job. Practices like this won't win it for Harrell, but it puts him in a better position come the preseason games.
• Davon House is proving once again this year that he's Green Bay's most physical corner. After Jarrett Boykin caught an Aaron Rodgers pass over the middle, House punched the ball out to force a fumble (TD). While he missed some time earlier in camp with food poisoning, House has played well since returning. If House continues to capitalize on the extra reps he's receiving due to Tramon Williams' and Casey Hayward's injuries, someone is going to become expendable.
• Don Barclay took the right tackle snaps with the starters during the final period of practice (RD). For the most part, those reps had been going to Marshall Newhouse. That doesn't mean Barclay has suddenly become the frontrunner for the job. Rather, the coaches still want to see all their options.
• Dezman Moses and Nate Palmer missed practice today (RD). While that leaves the position group thin, it's opening up reps for undrafted rookie Andy Mulumba. Other names on the injury list include Sederrick Cunningham, Kevin Dorsey, Charles Johnson, DuJuan Harris, Sean Richardson, Casey Hayward, David Fulton, J.C. Tretter, Derek Sherrod, Mike Neal, and Jerel Worthy (RD).

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Co. He has previously written for Lombardi Ave, College Hoops Net, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is also currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter: @JBHirschhorn