DENVER – The Packers' second preseason game kicks off Friday night in Denver.
Here are a few topics of interest:
The starters are getting their final tune-up.
It's unclear how much the starters will play, and which starters working their way back from injury will be held out of game action for now. But this will be it for Jordan Love & Co. on offense and Zaire Franklin/Xavier McKinney/et al on defense. The starters won't be playing in the preseason finale next Friday vs. Arizona, as they'll get the bulk of the work in the joint practice on Wednesday.
Can the stars from Pittsburgh shine again?
Rookie kicker Trey Smack was dynamite in the preseason opener. So was No. 3 QB Kyle McCord, whose execution of the hurry-up offense at the end of the first half was impressive. On defense, Brenton Cox Jr. and Kitan Oladapo both recorded sacks.
The question for all of them and others who put a good foot forward last week is whether they can do it again. Consistency and reliability are the hallmark of players who earn the trust of coaches to contribute, and who eventually have longevity in this league.
Competitions could gain more clarity.
While rookie CB Brandon Cisse is getting all his reps with the first-team defense, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Benjamin St-Juste have been rotating between units. Perhaps someone gains an edge on the other starting job this week.
Also, the roster decisions looming at defensive tackle look to be difficult. Beyond regulars Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave and Karl Brooks, several reserves – Warren Brinson, Chris McClellan, Jonathan Ford, Nazir Stackhouse, Anthony Campbell – have flashed at different times and rotated in with the first unit. There isn't room for all of them on the 53-man roster, and they'll have to start separating themselves at some point.
Will a roster underdog build a bigger case?
Undrafted rookie WR J. Michael Sturdivant has performed well, both on the practice field and in Pittsburgh. Same with players like Campbell and S Mark Perry, while CB Jaylin Simpson looks to bounce back from some rough moments in Pittsburgh that didn't reflect how he's looked in practice.
There's still one more preseason game to go after this one, but for those fighting for their NFL livelihoods, every snap counts.
