Packers preview: 5 things to watch in exhibition at Chiefs
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
Broadcast: Radio – WTMJ 620-AM. TV – Ch. 4 in Milwaukee and the Packers Television Network across the state.
Injury report
Packers – LB Oren Burks (shoulder), OL Kyle Murphy (ankle) are out; WR Jake Kumerow (shoulder) is questionable while the regular starters are not expected to play. Chiefs – DB Step Durham (hip) is out; and the Chiefs regular starters are not expected to play.
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5 things to watch
1. THE QUARTERBACKS: In his last news conference of the week, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said rookie quarterback Tim Boyle was going to see the field against the Chiefs because he didn’t play in Oakland. After trading away Brett Hundley on Wednesday, it’s likely Boyle will get a ton of work. So will new backup DeShone Kizer, who must continue to develop in what may be his last meaningful game action of 2018.
2. MAYS AND DAVIS READY TO ROLL: Generally speaking, the Packers have been healthy to this point in the preseason — and Thursday should mark the exhibition debuts of running back DeVante Mays and wide receiver/kick return Trevor Davis. Both had missed the bulk of camp and the first three exhibition games due to hamstring issues, but all indications are they should make their debuts Thursday. Both players could use solid showings with cutdown day looming.
3. ANOTHER STEP FOR MOORE: Rookie wide receiver J’Mon Moore called his four-catch night in Oakland last Friday a “stair step” as he held on to the ball not just on the way in, but through contact. He took another step in the Packers’ final training camp practice on Monday with a solid session. Thursday night provides yet another opportunity and the rookie can put a bow on his preseason with another reliable night.
4. BLOCKING BOUNCE BACK: McCarthy was not thrilled with the performance of his backup offensive linemen in Oakland, a night of inefficiency plagued by a bevy of penalties and hits on the quarterbacks. Kyle Murphy injured an ankle in that game, but the rest of the group could use a steadier showing against the Chiefs’ backups and bubble players. No doubt the Packers would like Jason Spriggs and Byron Bell, especially, to put together a good outing.
5. A PERFECT OPERATION: Special teams coordinator Ron Zook said this week that long snappers Hunter Bradley and Zach Triner have split their repetitions evenly throughout the first three games, and a decision is looming. Do they keep one or the other? Cut both? A single large mistake that throws off a kick, or perhaps even the smallest error in timing, could determine the fate of one (or both) long snappers.