There wasn't a lot to like about the Green Bay Packers' performance in their Week 1 preseason game against New York, but Matt LaFleur's team got back on track with a solid showing versus Indianapolis.
Some players took advantage of the opportunity for a bounce-back game. After muffing a punt in the opener, fielding another questionable ball deep in his own territory, and dropping a pass, Mecole Hardman was one of the many players on the radar to do just that.
With plenty of absences in the wide receiver room early in the process, LaFleur needed the veteran to step up to justify his addition to the roster in the first place. In Indy, Hardman at least took a positive step forward in that effort.
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Hardman caught two of his four targets for 26 yards, 21 of which came on his first opportunity. He also fielded his one punt return opportunity and picked up 10 yards. It was a much cleaner performance for Hardman after the abysmal showing in Week 1.
Hardman is still hard-pressed to make the final 53-man roster, though. He isn't in line to be kept as a return specialist alone because Israel Abanikanda seems to have taken over the kick return duties. On top of that, the Packers have at least five receivers they certainly plan on keeping, with little room for a sixth with the makeup at other positions.
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Of course, it's still pleasant to see the 27-year-old rebound, especially with so much other chaos in the second preseason game drawing uncomfortable attention. With so many disappointing performances to start the preseason, the Packers may well find themselves in a position to move several pieces around on the roster to make room for the veteran.
After all, with the penalty concerns dragging down the NFL's youngest roster, some veteran leadership could be useful in the locker room.
The Packers could also go in the opposite direction with Hardman since they've gotten such a mixed bag of results out of him. Considering Hardman's struggles to stick anywhere but Kansas City, they could opt to trade him back to the Chiefs, just like the New York Jets did, if some rumors are to be believed.
Either way, Hardman's path over the next two weeks remains a mystery, and the Packers certainly seem to have larger problems to deal with at the top of the roster.