3 Packers tumbling down depth charts during the preseason

Kamal Martin

It’s been a difficult summer for second-year linebacker Kamal Martin so far. He was listed as part of the third team on the Packers’ first unofficial depth chart last week, and the opening preseason game hasn’t helped his chances.

Martin didn’t feature against the Texans as he is eased back following injury. Oren Burks, who is competing with Martin for a roster spot, put in an excellent performance.

Burks was all over the field and made impressive play after impressive play, including a couple of tackles for loss. Burks was already ahead of Martin on the unofficial depth chart entering the game. The gap has surely only widened now.

Martin, who was standout performer last summer before getting injured, was picked by many as a potential starter in Joe Barry’s defense this year. That looks a million miles away now. Martin is cross-training at outside linebacker and for now it seems unclear what role he has in Green Bay’s defense.

Martin desperately needs snaps in the final two preseason games. With De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes the likely starters at inside linebacker, Ty Summers a key special-teams player, and Burks impressing, Martin’s path to the 53-man roster might be at outside linebacker.