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3 Packers who need to bounce back in Week 2 preseason game vs. Broncos
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- 3 Packers who need to bounce back in Week 2 preseason game vs. Broncos
The Green Bay Packers return to the field Friday night to face the Denver Broncos after losing the preseason opener 28-9 to the Pittsburgh Steelers . For some players, it will be a chance to build on a strong performance while others need to forget about last week and take advantage of a new opportunity to impress the coaching staff.
Here are three Packers who need to bounce back in Week 2 of the preseason:
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CB Keisean Nixon
Fighting to keep his spot in the starting lineup, Nixon didn't do himself many favors against the Steelers. His missed tackle after a completion to rookie wide receiver Germie Benard led to a 25-yard pickup, an uncharacteristic mistake coming off a season in which he missed only four in 17 games.
Nixon didn't exactly help himself in practice this week, giving up a big gain to receiver Savion Williams while playing on the third-team defense on Wednesday. Matt LaFleur laughed off Nixon's "punished" comment , but last week the veteran cornerback played like someone who isn't competing for his job. A bounce-back game against the Broncos that shows he's not backing down from the competition would be a step in the right direction.
OL Anthony Belton
Belton was Green Bay 's lowest-rated offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus in the Steelers game, struggling particularly as a run blocker.
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At the beginning of the offseason, he was penciled in as the starting right guard. Since then, rookie Jager Burton has continued to get more reps with the 1s while Belton is primarily spending time at both tackle spots behind starters Jordan Morgan and Zach Bako-Bewele.
A second-round pick a year ago, Belton was expected to be a serious contender for a starting role. Right now, it appears he's on the outside looking in.
CB Jaylin Simpson
Nixon wasn't the only corner who struggled in Pittsburgh. Simpson slipped on a 74-yard slant to rookie wide receiver Kaden Wetjen to set up the Steelers' second touchdown, gave up a five-yard touchdown to Wetjen, and then committed a 24-yard pass interference penalty.
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Simpson didn't make the Packers' initial roster last year but was brought back to the practice squad and then signed to the active roster before the end of the season. Last week, 26 of his 49 defensive snaps came in the slot, and the team is still searching for the best option to be Javon Bullard 's backup. Simpson could give himself a better shot at making the roster if he shows he's a viable option in these last two preseason games.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 3 Packers who need to bounce back in Week 2 preseason game vs. Broncos
