4 Big things and other notes from Packers v. Saints matchup
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers safety depth is very thin
Unfortunately, injuries are a part of training camp and the preseason. Overall, the Packers have remained relatively healthy, but when injuries do pop up, the safety position has taken the brunt of it.
Heading into the Packers’ preseason matchup with the New Orleans Saints, the team was already without Darnell Savage, Dallin Leavitt, Innis Gaines, and Tariq Carpenter. Then in the first half, Vernon Scott would leave with what looked like a shoulder injury.
The remaining healthy safeties include Adrian Amos, who won’t play in the preseason, Shawn Davis, Micah Abernathy, and De’Vante Cross, who was recently signed to help with the depth.
Abernathy made an impressive interception and a tackle, but the depth of this unit is a concern. Even if Gaines and Carpenter can return, neither has any NFL snaps.
Hopefully, Savage will be available come Week 1, and Scott’s injury isn’t too serious. He had been filling in for Savage next to Amos. Davis has also been taking some snaps with the starters this summer.
He always seems to be around the ball and came away with a fumble recovery against the Saints, but on a touchdown pass, it also looked like he was late getting over to help in coverage.
Depending on when Scott, Carpenter, or Gains can be available, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers make another addition at safety if those three are going to miss more time.