Packers: 3 under-the-radar players to watch vs. Titans

Three under-the-radar players for the Green Bay Packers in the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans.

There’s a bevy of things to watch on Thursday night, as the Green Bay Packers take on the Tennessee Titans at 7 p.m. CT in their first preseason game. The backup quarterback battle, rookie receivers and cornerbacks, and Mike Pettine’s new scheme, among a few other storylines, will garner plenty of attention.

Here are three fairly under-the-radar players to watch during the game as they battle for roster spots.

1. Joel Bouagnon

Bouagnon is a second-year running back who was released by the Bears with an injury settlement last summer. He spent four years at Northern Illinois, receiving extensive action in the last three. He averaged nearly 1,000 yards on nearly five yards a carry in his sophomore through senior years, with sparse contributions in the passing game.

With the current state of the Packers’ backfield, Bouagnon figures to see a heavy workload on Thursday night. Devante Mays and Aaron Jones are each battling hamstring injuries, meaning the depth chart is down to Jamaal Williams, Bouagnon, and freshly-signed Akeem Judd.

As the presumptive Week 1 starter, Williams is unlikely to play much. And Judd probably won’t know enough to contribute extensively either.

It all presents an opportunity for Bouagnon. He actually has a decent chance of making the Week 1 roster, given the lack of depth at running back and Jones’ suspension. He made my 53-man projection before camp started.

Bouagnon’s primary competition will be Devante Mays. Mays hasn’t shown much this summer—but neither has Bouagnon. Running backs have more of a chance to shine in live game settings than in practices with limited hitting.

Bouagnon is six-feet-two inches and nearly 230 pounds, and he’ll hope to show off his power on Thursday night. I’ll be watching him not only as a runner, but on special teams, as a receiver, and in pass protection.