During the preseason, teams are not required to release an official list of inactive players. However, before their opening game last week, the Green Bay Packers made a list of players who will not play, and we can expect the same tonight against the Denver Broncos.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has already announced that most of the regular players, including Jordan Love, will not play.
Having already gained valuable experience against the Broncos during Friday’s joint practice, LaFleur sees no need to use the starters in the preseason game. That leaves more time to continue the other position battles, including that of backup quarterback. Sean Clifford is expected to start for the Packers and he should get some playing time against the Broncos’ starting defense.
It will be interesting to see how LaFleur distributes snaps at quarterback. Clifford remains the favorite for the backup job, but is under increasing pressure from rookie Michael Pratt, who has had an impressive start to the preseason. Green Bay will want to take a close look at both players, with Pratt still having a good shot at the No. 2 job.
This will be updated closer to kickoff at 7pm CT. Check back often.
The Packers’ regular players will not play in the warm-up game against the Broncos.
We may not see the Packers’ starters again in the preseason. They will participate in another joint practice next week against the Baltimore Ravens. The starters will get important reps in practice, so LaFleur may decide to hold them out of the preseason game, as he will do tonight against Denver.
It’s never a bad idea to bench your regulars. Packers fans will remember Jordy Nelson’s season-ending injury in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Injuries can happen at any time, but it’s wise to be cautious in your preseason.
