Cheese Curds, 8/22: Packers’ CB injuries lead to more work for King, Hawkins

The Green Bay Packers are on a normal seven-day week this week. Following last Saturday night’s 21-17 win in Washington, the Packers will travel to Denver this coming Saturday for a date with the Broncos in the teams’ third preseason game. Both teams will likely play their starters more in this contest than in previous exhibition games, as the third game generally serves as the best tune-up for the regular season.

As they get ready for Saturday, the Broncos’ have solidified their plans at quarterback for the season, and we now know which signal-caller will take the snaps with the top offensive unit. The Packers still have questions around injuries on defense, however, particularly at the cornerback unit. Unless Damarious Randall and Davon House return to the field this week, their absences would leave a group of young players, including top draft pick Kevin King and undrafted second-year pro Josh Hawkins, to deal with Denver’s starting offense.

In today’s curds, we look at one of those young corners who is hoping to build on the success he had in last week’s game, as well as some discussion around the hit that put Randall on the sidelines for the past several days.

Josh Hawkins hopes to be Packers' next undrafted success story | Packers.com
It makes sense that Hawkins would try to emulate Sam Shields' game; both were undrafted free agents, were on the small side, and possessed terrific speed. Time will tell if Hawkins has similar success to Shields, though.

Damarious Randall responds to Bryce Treggs whining about $25K fine | Packers Wire
Treggs made the league minimum last season, but he tweeted about starting a Gofundme page to pay for the fine he received after his hit on Randall last week. Needless to say, the Packers corner didn't take too well to that.

Jeff Janis needs to play like it's August come September-January - ESPN
Janis has been the preseason wonder for four years now, but has virtually disappeared for the last three regular seasons, save for a couple of special teams plays and a single touchdown. If he makes the roster, that had better change quickly

Packers’ run defense prepared for stiff early-season tests | Packersnews.com
So far, the front seven has held up very well on the ground through two preseason games; opponents are averaging under three yards per carry and the team hasn’t allowed a single play of 15 yards or more.

Chuck Pagano defends Tolzien: “Scotty didn’t play bad” | NFL.com
Former Packers backup Scott Tolzien appears in line to start the season as the Colts’ top quarterback due to Andrew Luck’s shoulder surgery. So far, the results in the preseason have not been pleasant, but Tolzien’s head coach is sticking up for him.

Trevor Siemian named Broncos’ starting quarterback | NFL.com
Meanwhile, the Packers’next opponent just locked in their starter for this season, confirming that Siemian has beaten out 2016 first-round pick (and Tony Stark look-alike) Paxton Lynch for the starting job.