Packers long snapper Goode out for season with knee injury

New Packers long snapper Rick Lovato was working at Joyce’s Subs and Pizza in New Jersey when Green Bay called him Monday and gave him the good news.

A former player at Middletown South, Lovato was an FCS All-American long-snapper at Old Dominion.

Whether fortuitous timing or an terrible jinx for an eight-year veteran who had never been hurt, Lovato’s successful workout last Friday had the Packers instantly prepared to replace Goode when an MRI surprisingly revealed a torn ACL in his knee on Monday. Lovato appeared in all 50 games for Old Dominion as the team’s long snapper from 2011-14. It’s something I’ve done a million times. So, to get a call out of the blue like that definitely turned his world upside down. “I’m ready. I’m ready to go show everyone that I can do this”. He did not report it until feeling discomfort after playing his 137th straight game. He will wear No. 59 for the Packers.

“It’s just a matter of being flawless and being quiet, staying quiet”, Lovato said.

“I’ve been working out at my gym at home 15 minutes away from my house”. While it may not sound like a big deal, the Oakland Raiders recently had to go for two when their long snapper was injured, and they failed on the conversion, so moves like this can directly impact the score.

Lovato, who will make $25,588 for each week he’s on the 53-man roster during the regular season, will have a hard time matching Goode’s consistency. Crosby said only a few times ever has a field-goal snap from Goode had to be adjusted by Masthay to get the laces facing out before the kick. “He comes over and works out with me everyday”.

Notes: Cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) didn’t participate in the team’s abbreviated practice Wednesday. RB Eddie Lacy (rib) was limited….

“One of the main things A-Rod (Aaron Rodgers) always talks to us about as an offense is just about doing your job”, Quarless said.