Packers: Five players key to victory in Week 8 vs. Vikings
By Jesse Fry
3. Kamal Martin
One of the players making a name for himself on a daily basis during training camp was Kamal Martin.
Martin was a beast in the middle, making explosive plays behind the line of scrimmage, showing athleticism and playmaking the Packers have been lacking.
Unfortunately, Martin injured his knee and required minor arthroscopic knee surgery delaying his progress and holding him out of action until last week versus the Texans.
Playing alongside and then in place of Krys Barnes, Martin showed those same traits last Sunday.
With the Vikings wanting to establish the run with Dalvin Cook to control the clock to keep Rodgers off the field, Martin will have a plethora of opportunities to show his value. Not only against the run but in coverage as well.
Christian Kirksey is back practicing and his return is imminent. Barnes has done a great job filling in for Kirksey. But Martin gives the Packers a better option next to Kirksey and the best pair in the middle the Packers have had since 2010 when A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop formed a solid tandem.
Cook and Alexander Mattison are very capable backs in the run and pass game, making this a measuring stick game for just how good Martin could be.