Packers show flashes of hope but also roster weaknesses in preseason win over the Colts before 2025 season kicks off
Green Bay played Indy in preseason Week 2
It’s always hard to play backups against opposing starters in a preseason game. Not only because of the score, which ultimately doesn’t matter much, but because it’s harder to individually evaluate players. On Saturday, the Packers had a comeback 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts in preseason Week 2 after being behind for most of the game, and there are positive and negative takeaways from the matchup.
Running back rotation
It will be an intriguing battle for roster spots and snaps at running back for the Packers. Last year’s third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd is finally healthy and played, but he’s mostly a change-of-pace runner. In the first half, Lloyd was targeted four times and had one catch, but it was a big 33-yard reception.
Emanuel Wilson is not a complete player by any means, but he’s clearly the second best pure runner on the team, after Josh Jacobs. He’s elusive and always generates more yards than what the offensive line gives him—and this is especially important because the offensive line hasn’t been great in run blocking.
The other option is Chris Brooks, a powerful runner and their best all-around alternative to Jacobs. Brooks can run short-yardage plays, pass protect, and play on special teams. Don’t be surprised if the Packers are willing to keep all four backs on the 53-man roster.
Even Israel Abanikanda and undrafted rookie Amar Johnson, who had snaps in the second half, ran hard, scored touchdowns, and put themselves in position to fight for practice squad spots.
Youngster tackles and IOL depth issues
Last year’s first-round pick Jordan Morgan had another solid performance, even playing against the Indianapolis Colts’ starters. Morgan showed quick hands, better footwork, and seems to be adapted to the speed of the NFL game at tackle.
Life wasn’t so easy for second-round rookie Anthony Belton, though. He is a talented blocker and can clearly anchor and use his power. The problem is that the rookie is showing his youth with several mental mistakes. Playing at right tackle, Belton had four penalties just in the first half, including a late hit and a facemask. The most impactful one was an illegal formation nullifying a touchdown from Taylor Elgersma to tight end Ben Sims.
“We didn’t give ourselves a chance. Every time we make a play, there’s a penalty,” head coach Matt Lafleur said at halftime. “It’s hard to get excited about that.”
At the same time, you can see Belton’s power—including in the run game, where he had a massive block to lead Amar Johnson’s fourth-quarter touchdown.
On the interior, the situation was suboptimal as well. Left guard Donovan Jennings gave up multiple pressures early on, and Sean Rhyan clearly is not as good at center. Jacob Monk was shaky both as a right guard and as a center later on. It’s clear why the top option for Green Bay is to move tackles inside when needed.
Battle in the secondary
With the starters not playing, the bottom of the roster had a big-time opportunity fighting for the final roster spots. And it looks like converted wide receiver Bo Melton is on track to make the team. He didn’t do anything otherworldly, but he is solid in coverage and is always close to the football. He had a strong rep with a pass breakup on an RPO from quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Meanwhile, it was a tough outing for second-year cornerback Kamal Hadden, who spent all of his rookie season on the practice squad. He gave up too much separation on multiple occasions, and the Colts regularly targeted him because of that.
| Be part of the A to Z Sports community and vote in our latest Green Bay Packers poll as the preseason gets underway. |