Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 matchups to watch

2. Josh Jones vs Kentrell Brice

Heading into training camp, no one would have thought the safety spot next to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix would be a battle still raging. Josh Jones was the presumed favorite, and he had flashed some potential at that spot last season.

Heading into the second week of preseason, that spot is Kentrell Brice’s to lose. Brice has looked like the more natural safety and he appears to be the favorite as things stand now.

After some struggles in his rookie season as a true safety, there was a lot of hype around Jones to break out this season. He was built in the mold of the modern safety-linebacker hybrid with his elite athleticism. He had the ability to make plays in the run game as a linebacker that old school thumpers could not. This season, he’s still showing the athleticism, but his coverage skills have not caught up for him to be a safety.

Brice’s major nemesis so far in his career has been the injury bug. After being buried behind Morgan Burnett, he suffered an ankle injury that sent him to Injured Reserve last season.

This year, he had fans holding their breath when he left with an ankle injury the same day that Jake Ryan tore his ACL. This week will either further solidify Brice’s position as the lead dog or he could open the door for Jones heading into the all-important Week 3.