If praise from teammates and coaches counts for anything, linebacker Reggie Gilbert may be the edge rusher the Green Bay Packers need. Gilbert has put two years on the practice squad to good use after signing as an undrafted free agent from Arizona. He had two tackles and a quarterback hit in the first exhibition game against Tennessee. The guys who block him in practice — like left tackle David Bakhtiari — say the man who put the most pressure on the Titans in the first half last Thursday is going to become an important part of the team this season. Coach Mike McCarthy has praised Gilbert for the improvement he’s made.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers expects to take a few snaps in the final exhibition home game for Green Bay. He isn’t likely to see any other action before the regular season begins. Following Monday’s practice, Rodgers told reporters he thinks he will play in the game against the Steelers at Lambeau Field. Rodgers last played on his home turf September 28th against the Chicago Bears. After he broke his collarbone October 15th against the Vikings, he only played one more game — at Carolina against the Panthers.