Green Bay withstood a sloppy first half and stormed back in the second, turning a 13-3 halftime deficit into a 23-19 preseason win over the Colts. The storylines leaned heavy toward the Packers’ depth pieces: Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson ground out inside-the-10 scores, Sean Clifford’s late 11-yard scramble sealed it, and Jordan Morgan continued to shine at left tackle as the backups shined in relief. Special-teams standout punts, a clean second half with reduced penalties, and a 1-1 preseason mark showcased a Packers team building depth for 2025.

Penalties and a turnover miscue lingered from the first half, but Green Bay tightened up after halftime, trimming the penalty basket and creating more consistent drives. Mecole Hardman and Malik Heath rebounded after rough Opener performances, while Daniel Whelan pinned Colts inside the 20 on three punts, flipping field position on a towering 59-yarder. The game highlighted a Packers roster flush with competition and a developing group of backs and receivers ready to push for roles once the regular season arrives.

Mecole Hardman sits on the Packers’ roster bubble as teams trim toward Aug. 27, with speed and return versatility still giving him a reasonable shot to stick in Green Bay. A muffed punt and a drops-filled Week 1 preseason debut stoke concerns about his ability to hold a spot in a crowded receiving corps, but Week 2 against the Colts offers another chance to prove value beyond special teams.

Hardman’s NFL arc features a Super Bowl 58 OT touchdown for Kansas City, followed by a decline in receiving production. Last year he finished with 12 catches for 90 yards and a rushing TD, plus punt and kickoff returns. Green Bay’s depth at wideout makes his path narrow, but his top-end speed and return ability keep him in the player conversation that fantasy managers are watching closely this preseason.

Fantasy takeaway: Hardman is a high-variance stash whose fate hinges on a successful Week 2 showing and whether Green Bay uses him in gadget plays or as a returner. If he earns a real role, his explosiveness could offer weekly upside in return-heavy formats; otherwise, the risk of a late-cut looms, limiting his value in standard redraft leagues.

Green Bay heads to Lucas Oil Stadium for a second preseason test, aiming to rebound from a 30-10 opener loss to the Jets. The focus centers on four Packers players who need a strong follow-up against Indianapolis to shore up the roster odds and reset momentum for 2025. The group includes Jacob Monk, Mecole Hardman, Malik Heath, and Isaiah Simmons, each facing different roster pressures but all needing clearer demonstrations of value as the Colts challenge a still-developing Green Bay attack.

Monk must show improvement at center/guard to solidify his versatile role behind Jenkins and Rhyan. Hardman must excel as a returner and prove he can contribute as a receiver after limited targets. Heath needs to capitalize with multiple receivers down, while Simmons must elevate his play in run support and coverage to stay in the LB mix. Jordan Love’s game-day consistency and the offense’s overall cohesion loom large as personnel shakeout continues.

The Jets game backdrop and the Colts test frame the Packers’ week-two progression, with the coaching staff emphasizing reliable interior line play, hands-secure receivers, and a linebacking corps that needs clarity. Fans and fantasy players will watch how these bets unfold, especially in a game where roster moves and depth will be decided amid a crowded camp battle.

Green Bay’s 53-man roster projection tightens the competition across all units ahead of joint practices and a Jets preseason opener. Two quarterbacks are kept, with Jordan Love as the unquestioned starter and Malik Willis as the clear-cut backup, while Sean Clifford or Taylor Elgersma could land on the practice squad. The Packers carry four running backs and six wideouts, a routine that hinges on Watson’s PUP status and Hardman’s established NFL resume to anchor the aerial attack. Luke Musgrave and John FitzPatrick headline a three-man tight end corps. On the line, nine blockers anchor a top-heavy OL, while the defensive front leans on Georgia rookies Brinson and Stackhouse alongside Colby Wooden and Devonte Wyatt. The edge group, linebackers, corners, and safeties battle for defined roles in a crowded defense, with special teams providing stability. Fantasy implications center on Love’s continued QB stability, Willis’s early-season readiness, and a high-upside WR trio in Hardman, Doubs, and Reed, plus Musgrave/Kraft as potential TE sleepers. The Jets loom as the preseason foe and a reminder that rookies must prove value quickly in a tight cap-cut environment.

The Green Bay Packers' 2025 training camp kicks off on July 23, with all eyes on rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden, marking the franchise's first first-round receiver selection since 2002. As the Packers aim for a bounce-back season following two consecutive playoff disappointments, the focus will extend beyond Golden to the performance of returning veterans, particularly Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed. Each of these players is grappling with challenges from last season, including injuries and performance inconsistencies, making their progress vital in the upcoming camp.

The receiver corps, with varied skill sets, provides flexibility and an opportunity for experimentation in positioning. With Watson expected to miss the early part of the season, Golden's elite speed and versatility may see him utilized in multiple roles. The success of the Packers' passing game in 2025 may, in fact, hinge not only on Golden's development but also on the veteran players' ability to reclaim their form. Training camp will reveal how quickly Golden can adapt to the NFL and establish chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love.