Packers: Five position battles to watch vs. Chiefs in preseason

4. Ty Summers/James Crawford

Two of the top three inside linebackers are injured. Presumed starter Oren Burks exited the first preseason game with a partially torn pectoral muscle, while Curtis Bolton is out with a knee injury. There is no word on how long either player will be out, but we do know neither should be ready for Week 1.

That leaves a hole in the middle next to Blake Martinez. The two best candidates on the roster to fit that hole are rookie Ty Summers and second-year player James Crawford.

Summers has shown a knack for getting to the ball but has had some problems with missed tackles. Crawford was a special teams standout last year after making the team as a late edition undrafted free agent. Crawford spent last year bouncing back and forth between inside and outside linebacker before settling on inside this offseason.

Of the two, Summers has more experience playing in the middle and has more upside. But Crawford has been the better tackler. There is room for both on the roster, but which one will start? The answer may not even be on the roster. Brian Gutekunst made a move at this position late in training camp last year and could do the same.

There are some options out there on the free agency market with Mason Foster and the recently-released Malcom Smith. A trade from a position of depth like cornerback or wide receiver could also make sense. Should neither player make the Packers feel comfortable, a newcomer may be the best option.