The Green Bay Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts 23-19 in preseason Week 2, even with 29 players sitting out, either because the team didn’t play starters or due to injury. Now, we’re just eight days away from the cutdown date, so let’s enjoy a 53-man roster projection ahead of the final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks next Saturday.

Quarterbacks (2)

• In: Jordan Love, Malik Willis
• Out: Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma
  
  Elgersma played extensively against the Colts, showcasing his talent and rawness as an American football quarterback. The rookie played his college ball in Canada. It will be an interesting decision to see who the practice squad QB will be between him and Clifford, but it’s hard to project either on the active roster.

Running backs (3)

• In: Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks
• Out: Amar Johnson, Israel Abanikanda, Tyrion Davis-Price
• IR-DFR: MarShawn Lloyd
  
  It’s unfortunate that we’re here again with MarShawn Lloyd, but he injured his hamstring on Saturday and will miss time. ESPN reported that the “hamstring issue could keep him out for the regular-season opener and perhaps beyond,” so it sounds about right to place him on injured reserve to start the season with a designation for return after four weeks. Amar Johnson, as a developmental player, and Israel Abanikanda, as an elevation candidate, are the ideal PS pieces.

Wide receivers (6)

• In: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Mecole Hardman
• Out: Malik Heath, Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Will Sheppard, Isaiah Neyor, Kawaan Baker
• PUP: Christian Watson
  
  Mecole Hardman and Malik Heath played better against the Colts, but it’s still an open competition for the sixth spot at wide receiver. And it wouldn’t be shocking if the Packers kept only five, utilizing the practice squad to supplement the position.

Tight ends (3)

• In: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick
• Out: Ben Sims, Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin
  
  FitzPatrick is basically a lock to make the team. He is active on offense and one of the best special teamers on the roster.

Offensive line (9)

• In: Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk
• Out: Kadeem Telfort, Lecitus Smith, Trey Hill, Tyler Cooper, Brant Banks, J.J. Lippe
• PUP: John Williams
• Injured reserve: Travis Glover
  
  With Travis Glover out for the season, the Packers will probably carry nine offensive linemen and not 10. There are seven locks, and the final two spots would likely go to Donovan Jennings and Jacob Monk. Both have had a tough preseason, so Kadeem Telfort could have a small chance to compete.

Defensive tackles (6)

• In: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, Colby Wooden
• Out: James Ester, Keith Randolph Jr.
  
  Nazir Stackhouse shined in the first preseason game and received praise from defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley due to his importance in stopping the run. He was solid against the Colts, too. He’s the perfect replacement for TJ Slaton, and it seems like he will make the team as an undrafted rookie. Colby Wooden also showed signs of improvement, being stronger and playing more at nose. There’s a real scenario for the Packers to keep six interior defensive linemen.

Edges (6)

• In: Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr., Arron Mosby
• PUP: Collin Oliver
• Out: Deslin Alexandre
  
  Collin Oliver hasn’t practiced yet, so it’s fair to project him to start the season on PUP at this point. That would give Arron Mosby, who always appears to make plays and finished last season on the active roster, a chance to make it. We have to see how serious Sorrell’s injury is because he could be an IR candidate as well.

Linebackers (4)

• In: Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper
• Out: Isaiah Simmons, Kristian Welch, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Jared Bartlett
  
  Isaiah Simmons and Kristian Welch might very well make the team due to their special teams abilities, and Welch could be a PS elevation. That makes it easier to keep only four off-ball linebackers on the 53-man roster.

Cornerbacks (6)

• In: Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Kalen King, Corey Ballentine
• Out: Micah Robinson, Kamal Hadden, Johnathan Baldwin, Isaiah Dunn, Tyron Herring, Garnett Hollis
  
  Bo Melton seems to be a lock at this point since he’s the fourth-best cornerback on the team. There are questions about who will make the roster, but also how many — four, five, or six. In this updated projection, Corey Ballentine makes it due to his special teams role, but seventh-round rookie Micah Robinson still has a shot. Kamal Hadden and Johnathan Baldwin had rough performances versus the Colts.

Safeties (5)

• In: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo
• IR-DFR: Omar Brown
  
  Zayne Anderson got injured, but it’s not a long-term issue. Omar Brown, who’s had a strong camp, left the Colts game with a lung injury, so he might be out for a while. The rest of the safety group is a lock.

Special teamers (3)

• In: Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matthew Orzech
• Out: Mark McNamee
  
  The Packers kept all three of their special teamers, re-signing McManus and Whelan. Mark McNamee is part of the International Pathway Program, so the plan is to get him back on the practice squad with a roster exemption.

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