The Green Bay Packers got a pair of late touchdown passes from Kyle McCord to complete a comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals in what turned out to be an epic preseason shootout at Lambeau Field. The two teams combined for 80 points, and the Packers held on for a 42-38 win despite trailing 38-27 with under five minutes to go.
Roster cuts are coming, and the Packers must trim the roster down to 53 players by Sunday afternoon.
Here's who helped their 53-man roster chances on Friday night:
QB Kyle McCord: Will the Packers keep three quarterbacks? McCord has made the decision a difficult one. With the long-term backup situation unsettled, the Packers may not want risk McCord to waivers after three mostly excellent preseason performances, including
Friday night's comeback win. His passer rating this preseason was 102.4. McCord tossed four touchdown passes against the Cardinals, including excellent down-the-field throws to J. Michael Sturdivant and Kisean Johnson for scores.
WR J. Michael Sturidvant: He caught six of seven passes, created a two-play solo touchdown drive, had multiple contested catches and finished with 112 receiving yards, the team's first 100-yard receiver during a preseason game since 2011. His immense potential as a receiver was finally giving a chance to shine, and it shone brightly. Kyle McCord had a 158.3 passer rating when targeting Sturdivant on Friday night. On one drive, Sturdivant caught a 36-yard pass to open the drive and then a 29-yard touchdown a play later. He looks close to claiming the seventh receiver spot, if one exists. It's also possible he'll make it if Savion Williams (ankle injury) starts the season on IR.
EDGE Nyjalik Kelly: The rookie edge rusher stuffed the stat sheet over 58 snaps, producing an interception, four pressures, a sack, two quarterback hits and four tackles representing a failure for the offense. Kelly led the defense in both pressures and stops, per PFF. He came on strong to end the preseason, with back-to-back strong performances giving him a chance to stick on the 53. Would the Packers keep six edge rushers? Collin Oliver is currently hurt, so it's possible Kelly is kept.
DL Jaden Crumedy: He's probably not going to make the team, given the depth at defensive tackle, but Crumedy did all he could to make the decision a difficult one. Against the Cardinals, Crumedy had a pressure creating Kelly's interception, two total pressures and a run stop. He also batted down a pass on third down. If Crumedy doesn't stick on the 53, he should be one of the priority players for the practice squad because the former Panther showed he can play this summer.
WR Will Sheppard: The Packers clearly have more than six wide receivers who can really play, complicating Sheppard's path to the 53, but he went out with a bang on Friday night. Sheppard caught a touchdown pass on a well-designed play in the red zone and produced the night's most electrifying play on an 81-yard punt return touchdown. He caught touchdown passes in back-to-back games to end the preseason and has proven to be a capable returner. It's possible he'll be on someone else's 53 come Monday.
CB Kamal Hadden: His night was mostly quiet, but that was a good thing considering he played over 30 plays in the slot and didn't give up a catch. The Cardinals rolled on offense, slicing and dicing backup cornerbacks in coverage, but Hadden was a bright spot. He also had a tackle covering a kickoff. With Domani Jackson struggling again on Friday night, Hadden is probably a roster lock.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers stock watch: Who helped their 53-man roster chances in preseason finale?
