Green Bay Packers: 3 Big takeaways from Preseason Week 2

1. Reggie Gilbert hype train in full-effect

After spending two seasons on the practice squad, it looks like Reggie Gilbert has found a home on the Packers roster. Although final cuts won’t happen until after the final preseason game, Gilbert seemingly submitted his role on the 53-man roster after his performance against the Steelers on Thursday night.

Gilbert recorded 2.5 sacks and two tackles, all in the first half. That’s all he needed to show the Packers, apparently, as he didn’t play the entire second half. Of course, it was only a preseason game, but Gilbert was all over the backfield, causing havoc left and right. It was a showing that made you think, “Yup, this guy’s pretty good.”

The Packers outside linebacker depth seemed thin at the beginning of the offseason, but Gilbert’s emergence has shown that sentiment may need some rethinking. Gilbert was promoted to the 53-man roster late last season, playing in two games, although Green Bay’s season was essentially over at that point.

With Vince Biegel and Kyler Fackrell showing to be exceptionally average, Gilbert looks to be the third man up in the Packers pass rush rotation. It would be a major surprise if he wasn’t named to the final roster.