After a forgettable preseason opener against the Jets, Green Bay heads into the week with the Colts carrying a clear message: the starting unit will continue to be protected, giving reserves and rookies a chance to “re-test” themselves against an opponent planning to use many starters from the jump. Before kickoff, the teams also have a joint practice at 1:50 PM CT for a final tune-up.

Schedule & How to Watch

• Time: 12:00 PM CT, Saturday Aug. 16 (Vietnam: 00:00, Sunday Aug. 17)

Three Things to Watch

1) Isaiah Simmons: a redemption window

Green Bay has “boxed” Simmons into a true linebacker role after years of role-hopping. The Jets game showed timing issues and hesitation, but the staff still likes his overall camp and wants him to prove it within the team’s defensive structure. Beyond LB snaps, Simmons is being tried as a gunner on the punt team—an immediate value channel.

Competition snapshot: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, and Isaiah McDuffie are near-locks. That leaves Simmons battling Ty’Ron Hopper, Kristian Welch, and Jamon Johnson for the final 2–3 LB seats. Facing a Colts group that plans to play starters makes this a “real” test for Simmons.

2) The reserve O-line’s progress

It’s been a true mixed bag. Jordan Morgan handled LT smoothly while Rasheed Walker was out; now that Walker has returned, Morgan’s reps will be split (he’s even been sampled at RG). Anthony Belton impressed: 25 pass-pro snaps with zero pressures allowed, plus a pancake that sprung Amar Johnson’s 39-yard TD run. On the flip side, Jacob Monk piled up flags and pressures (3 holdings, 2 pressures, 1 sack allowed), while Sean Rhyan’s look at center was bumpy (strip-sack). The assignment this week: steady the rhythm and cut the errors before returning to Lambeau.

3) Safety depth under fire

Xavier McKinney (calf) is expected to miss the rest of the preseason but is tracking for Week 1; Zayne Anderson (knee) is out as well. That opens the door for Kitan Oladapo (praised for communication, speed, and processing) and Omar Brown—who just notched three INTs on Family Night and keeps “finding the ball” at practice. Expect heavy snaps—and likely some reps against Colts starters.

Across the field: what the Colts are doing

Head coach Shane Steichen has confirmed Colts starters will play about a quarter. The QB plan: Daniel Jones for a few series, then Anthony Richardson Sr. for the rest of the first quarter. There’s also a new defensive look under DC Lou Anarumo, plus notable additions like Jones, Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, and first-round TE Tyler Warren (#14 overall)—pieces that make Indy physical and unpredictable, even in preseason.

Why Game 2 matters for Green Bay

• Backups vs. Starters: With Green Bay shelving many starters, the quality of depth goes under the microscope against Indy’s first-team looks.

Quick notes

• Joint practice: 1:50 PM CT before gameday.

Primary sources

This article is a rewrite based on information from PackersTalk (Aug. 14) and related/official outlets: Colts.com (usage plans), Packers.com (TV/Radio, Family Night), and national injury updates (e.g., Reuters/CBS Sports).