Green Bay Packers: Five players who must step up vs. Texans

Damarious Randall

Green Bay’s secondary drew excitement throughout the offseason. A trio of Sam Shields, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins at corner set the table for arguably one of the league’s premier defensive backfields.

How wrong we were. Shields’ season-ending injury suffered in Week 1 didn’t help, but neither Randall nor Rollins have yet pushed on from successful rookie seasons. Flashes of excellence last season led many to believe the pair were on a path to stardom. Maybe this will eventually be proved right, but the 2016 season offers little evidence.

Injuries could be to blame. Randall’s groin issue shelved him for six games, an injury that required midseason surgery. He looked rusty upon return in Philadelphia last week, but the hope is after six days more to heal, he’ll show flashes of the 2015 season.

The Packers secondary faces a tough assignment this week. Ignore the Texans’ offensive struggles. They enter Lambeau with a dangerous trio of pass catchers, all of whom complement one another.

From DeAndre Hopkins’ crisp route-running to his ability to make contested catches, he’s consistently tough to cover. Will Fuller’s deep speed needs attention, as does fellow rookie Braxton Miller’s threat after the catch.

A healthier Randall needs to lead a depleted secondary in the absence of Sam Shields. Shields won’t be back this year, if at all, the defensive backfield lacking a leader. Maybe it’ll be the former first-round pick.