Packers: Five players to watch in preseason vs. Ravens
By Jesse Fry
Darrius Shepherd
Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison and Marquez Valdes-Scantling seem to have their spots locked on the 53-man roster. Jake Kumerow seems like the best bet to man the number four position. After that it’s anyone’s guess.
J’Mon Moore has literally and figuratively dropped his chance and will give us an idea on how patient GM Brian Gutekunst will be with the players he picked come cut time.
Despite having a strong offseason, Trevor Davis is hurt again with a tricky injury with a neck stinger.
That gives Darrius Shepherd and Allen Lazard the perfect opportunity to step in and grab a spot.
Shepherd and Lazard each caught a touchdown pass in the game versus the Texans, but it has been Shepherd who has been the one getting snaps with Aaron Rodgers and the first-team offense in practice.
In fact, Shepherd was receiving some first-team snaps prior to the game against Houston. While his stats for the game weren’t impressive (one catch, 14 yards, one TD, one punt return for four yards), Shepherd’s lone catch was a tough grab coming off a scramble that he’s likely to see with Rodgers. After making the catch, Shepherd took a big hit to the back of the neck/head area and he held on for the score.
Shepherd is also a different type of receiver than the Packers have on their roster. With most of the guys being 6-foot-1 or bigger, Shepherd (5-foot-11) would fit the more prototypical slot receiver. Shepherd also offers skills as a returner should Davis’ injury be severe or he doesn’t make the team.