When the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers collide at Lambeau Thursday night, the stakes aren’t nearly as high as when the two teams met last year during the regular season. It’s only Week 2 of the preseason, so most of all, both teams will be looking for improvements to their depth chart and no injuries.
Raiders vs. Packers 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Aaron Rodgers will likely sit out again, but the Packers will see the return of Brett Hundley this week.
The Raiders are coming off a surprising 31-10 win over the Cardinals in Week 1 of the preseason. They kept their starters in for two series (and a score), before pulling Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. All three will be critical for the offense this season, and the team is hoping to get them a little playing time and then get them off the field so they can stay healthy. After Carr’s brief appearance last week, No. 2 Matt McGloin took the field, followed by rookie quarterback Connor Cook.
Receiver Amari Cooper was lackluster in his sophomore debut, recording several drops and only hauling in one pass for 6 yards. Carr may not have been able to connect with the young wideout, but he was able to find Crabtree on a couple of occasions, including a 22-yard pass that set the Raiders up in scoring position. Carr is starting to find a nice rhythm with his offense, and is turning out to be quite the leader -- even during the oft-fought skirmishes during camp.
The Packers haven’t been as lucky at keeping their players healthy, and have yet to see the return of Jordy Nelson who is making his way back from a torn ACL. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers may be chomping at the bit to get his wideout back, but both are expected to be kept on the sidelines for at least Week 2 of the preseason. Nelson just passed his physical on Wednesday, while Rodgers’ status was cemented by the return of backup Brett Hundley from an ankle injury.
Earlier in the week, head coach Mike McCarthy spoke on the plan to use Hundley against the Raiders.
“Planned on him playing the first game in Canton, planned on him playing (against) Cleveland ... hopefully we give him a bunch of time Thursday night against Oakland.”
The team seems eager to get Hundley the majority of the workload during its second preseason game, and hopes that his performance -- and health -- can keep him involved for most of the matchup. Consistency is key for the Packers this season after a year of injuries hurt the depth chart.
Both teams are hoping for some assurances on offense, and are looking at the next in line on the depth chart. The Packers have proven players if they can just get or stay healthy, and if the Raiders can make it through the last few preseason games without any significant injuries to the starters then they are definitely a team that could break out in 2016.
How to watch
When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc.
TV: KTVU FOX 2 (Oakland), Packers TV Network (Green Bay)
Announcers: Beth Mowins, Matt Millen (Oakland); Wayne Larrivee, Larry McCarren (Green Bay)
Online: NFL Game Pass
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