Packers: 4 most important positional battles in preseason opener vs. Texans
![July 30, 2021; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (19), wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88), wide receiver Davante Adams (17) and wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) participate in training camp Friday, July 30, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY NETWORK July 30, 2021; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (19), wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88), wide receiver Davante Adams (17) and wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) participate in training camp Friday, July 30, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY NETWORK](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1c465d8d21414ffd737f904a7f421fb278981db62caa0ebc47ba9e7927de3612.jpg)
The Green Bay Packers kick off their preseason slate on Saturday, hosting the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field. With only three exhibition games this season, each one will count more than ever for those trying to earn one of the final roster spots.
Although Green Bay is mostly set with their starters, there are still a number of critical positional battles taking place. Battles that will be decided by how they play in these three preseason contests. They started in training camp and will move on to the next phase at the beginning of the exhibition season. Here are the four most important clashes to keep your eye on.
These four positional battles have already started but will move to the public eye for the first time in the Grene Bay Packers’ preseason opener.
4. Offensive guard contest
With Elgton Jenkins sliding outside to left tackle in David Bakhtiari’s absence, it’s left three guys fighting for two spots. Ben Braden, Jon Runyan Jr. and Lucas Patrick are all going after the two starting guard spots and one thing is clear so far; it’s unclear who the starters will be in Week 1.
Patrick may have the edge at right guard which could leave it between Braden and Runyan at left guard. Both players have been alternating days with the starters in practice. Runyan has the advantage of some experience in NFL games, but the coaching staff has ranted and raved about Braden even before camp began. Keep your eye out on who starts and how each player fares against the Texans.