It looks like the Packers‘ 28-9 loss to the Steelers is biting at them in practice. No one knows it better than linebacker Barryn Sorrell, who got ejected from practice by the head coach.

“LaFleur just tore into Barryn Sorrell and booted him from a drill after he bull rushed Anthony Belton into Jordan Love and knocked the QB down,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman posted on X on August 16. 

LaFleur was also “very verbally upset” with Sorrell after a play, WFRV Local 5’s Kyle Malzahn tweeted. The head coach said previously that defensive players had been getting close to Love in practice, which was evident on Sunday.

Green Bay drafted Sorrell 124th overall out of Texas in 2025. The rookie played in 14 games but saw limited action as a situational defender, totaling only 206 snaps, most of which came in the season finale. But this season, it is pretty much guaranteed he will be a constant, lining up opposite veteran edge Lukas Van Ness on the defensive line.

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So far, Sorrell has had a good offseason, and he even recorded a pick-six in training camp. Matt LaFleur has appreciated him for his “A plus approach.” Intercepting Jordan Love and taking the ball to the end zone, he clocked 20 mph, too.

Last season, playing time was scarce as the depth chart included Micah Parsons, Lukas Van Ness and Rashan Gary. This year, Parsons is currently on the PUP list, recovering from a torn left ACL, and Gary will suit up for the Dallas Cowboys. Barryn Sorrell has a golden opportunity to leave a solid impact, entering his second season.

Even though his latest practice did not go well, he earned praise from his teammate a few days back. 

“Even when I was in the rehab phase, and he was out there with Collin (Oliver) and Stack (Nazir Stackhouse) and all those guys at the house, he was still leading,” Parsons told the press. “I told DC (DeMarcus Covington), I said you should count on Barryn being a leader, because he was holding guys to the standard that I would or I would expect him to do.”

Perhaps this punishment will be a learning moment for Barryn Sorrell.