Green Bay’s second preseason performance was more successful than their first in terms of an overall team effort, but as always with exhibition games, what matters more is picking out the individuals who showed out, or hurt their chances of seeing the field or making the team.

Here are five key takeaways from Packers 23 – 19 Colts:

Jordan Morgan stacking success

Morgan’s tough Family Night practice seems a long time ago now after two very promising displays at left tackle in the preseason.

The 2024 first-round pick looked in total control against the Colts, including plenty of reps against their starters. He has not allowed a single pressure in 61 pass blocking snaps across the two games.

With incumbent left tackle Rasheed Walker missing time due to injury, Morgan is now nipping at his heels.

Speaking with the media on Sunday, Matt LaFleur said it is “100% a competition” between Walker and Morgan for the starting job, while offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said he liked what Morgan has given them at left tackle, adding: “he’s done a really good job”.

Elsewhere on the offensive line, Jacob Monk was quieter (in a good way), but Donovan Jennings had a very rough game. At this point Green Bay may only keep nine offensive linemen with none of the back end of the roster players doing much to grab a roster spot.

Penalty problems in first half

On the whole, Green Bay played a much more serious game of football on Saturday than in their previous preseason game, but there was still plenty to clean up, especially from a penalty-laden first half.

The Packers committed 11 penalties in the first 30 minutes of action, with rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton the biggest culprit after being flagged five times, including two of the 15-yard variety.

Belton, as well as the team at large, improved in the second half, and Green Bay’s rookie tackle putting some excellent blocks on tape throughout the contest, which should provide some encouragement to offset the frustration of his lapses in concentration and discipline.

Injuries to monitor

MarShawn Lloyd cannot catch a break. Finally getting on the field for some game action after missing almost all of his rookie year, as well as Green Bay’s preseason opener, he once again suffered an injury; a hamstring issue which LaFleur confirmed will cause him to miss some time.

Lloyd flashed the potential which has stirred up plenty of excitement around the former third-round pick with an impressive route and catch on a wheel out of the backfield, but his struggles with injury are threatening to undermine his ability to have an impact for the Packers.

Elsewhere, promising rookie Barryn Sorrell exited with a knee injury, which will similarly cost him time, while Omar Brown, who has flashed all summer, suffered a scary lung injury and as of Sunday was still in an Indianapolis hospital, although LaFleur said his condition was improving.

Daniel Whelan finding his range

Whelan looks locked in ahead of the new season, pinning the Colts inside the 20 with all three of his punt attempts on Saturday, including one inside the 10. Only one punt was returned, for a three-yard loss and Whelan’s net punt average on the day was an impressive 50.3 yards.

With a reliable kicker and punter, is this the year Green Bay’s special teams get out of the basement and towards respectable territory?

International players have a way to go

The Packers have two international players with cool stories on their squad in Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma and Irish kicker Mark McNamee, but both look like they have a lot to learn to make an NFL 53-man roster.

Elgersma certainly has the arm of an NFL quarterback, but against the Colts showed what has been prevalent throughout the summer; a need to quicken up his internal clock inside the pocket and adjust to the speed of the game at this level.

He may have better raw tools than Sean Clifford, but the former Penn State QB should still be seen as having a significant leg up in terms of being the Packers’ third quarterback.

Green Bay’s starter Brandon McManus did not kick on Saturday night, giving McNamee the opportunity, but he struggled, missing a 39-yard field goal and later an extra point which would have given the Packers the lead.

There is no rush for Elgersma or McNamee, who are in the very early stages of their development as NFL players, but Saturday was a reminder not to expect too much from them.