PACKERS VS. CHIEFS GAMEDAY
Here's a look at who's injured and what to watch for in Thursday night's Packers-Chiefs preseason game at Kansas City.
Packers injury report Out or may not play
● S Darnell Savage (hamstring)
● LT David Bakhtiari (knee)
● TE Robert Tonyan (knee)
● OL Elgton Jenkins (knee)
● WR Christian Watson (knee)
● DL Akeil Byers (toe)
● S Dallin Leavitt (shoulder)
● CB Rico Gafford (ankle)
Physically unable to perform
● K Mason Crosby (knee)
● RB Kylin Hill (knee)
Chiefs injury report Out or may not play
● TE Blake Bell (hip)
● DE Carlos Dunlap (Achilles')
● RB Derrick Gore (thumb)
● CB Rashad Fenton (groin)
● WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)
Physcially unable to perform
● OL Lucas Niang (knee)
Packers still looking for a return game
Through the first two games, the kickoffand punt-return games have been up and down. Amari Rodgers has a 50-yard kickoff return but hasn't done much on punt returns. Receiver Ismael Hyman has a 21-yard punt return but is a longshot to make the 53-man roster. Running back Tyler Goodson and cornerback Rico Gafford haven't done anything special on kickoffs. Receiver Romeo Doubs practices punt returns but hasn't been used. Rodgers remains the favorite for both positions but someone like Goodson or Gafford could earn themselves a roster spot with a dynamic return or two.
Pecking order still in play for Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, other young receivers
This will be just as important a game for rookies Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson as it will be for those playing for a spot on the roster. Doubs is currently the No. 3 or 4 receiver but he needs to be more consistent catching the ball if he wants to hold his spot while Watson works his way back from knee surgery. Watson may play and he has some ground to make up, so the competition between the two is something to watch. In the meantime, Samori Toure and Juwaan Winfree could be vying for one spot and both will get plenty of opportunities with Jordan Love.
Packers special teams units will be hard to crack
As important as special-teams improvement is for the Packers under first-year coordinator Rich Biasaccia, it doesn't appear as though there's much competition left for who will play. The starting units have stayed mostly the same and it will take some big performances against the Chiefs to change minds. Among those who can help themselves are Gafford, Goodson, running back Patrick Taylor, defensive back Innis Gaines, linebacker Ty Summers, tight end Alize' Mack, safety Tariq Carpenter, safety Micah Abernathy and cornerback Kiondre Thomas.