Chiefs v. Packers: Are there surprise cuts around the corner?

Defensive notes and players to watch

With turnover, there usually comes the expectation of improvement. Packers fans in 2019 are no exception. After a relatively poor performance throughout 2018 on defense, expectations are high for a unit that added Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Adrian Amos in free agency.

On top of this, they spent their two first round picks on bolstering the defense, drafting Rashan Gary and Darnelle Savage. The infusion of talent combined with a fresh scheme should pay dividends for a group that has struggled in recent years.

On defense, there are a couple players for fans to keep an eye on Thursday. With the injury to starting linebacker Oren Burks, this gives a couple young players a better shot to make the team and even start in their rookie seasons.

Ty Summers, a product out of TCU, possesses good speed and explosiveness along with some decent playmaking ability. He’s demonstrated that early, logging 10 tackles in the first preseason game against the Texans. A seventh round pick is often on the roster bubble, but it looks like Summers has the potential to be a heavy contributor in his rookie season. Look for him to make some plays on defense on Thursday night.

Curtis Bolton, an undrafted player out of Oklahoma, is also pushing to make the roster. While he was injured in the most recent game against the Raiders, he seems to have played himself into a roster spot. If he’s able to play in Thursday’s game, that should go even further to solidifying his role on the team.

The final player to watch is at one of the team’s deepest positions, cornerback. Chandon Sullivan has been impressive this preseason, tallying three tackles and four pass breakups in the latest preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. If he isn’t able to land a spot on the active roster, there’s a good chance he ends up with another team or the Packers practice squad.