GREEN BAY, Wis. — Thursday night’s preseason opener was about much more than whether or not the Green Bay Packers were able to emerge victorious.
The spotlight was on several key players who figure to be key components during the season when wins and losses really begin to matter. One of them was second-round rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse, who got the start against the Pittsburgh Steelers opposite Keisean Nixon.
The Packers may have called upon Carrington Valentine, a full-time player in each of the last three seasons, to start instead. However, Valentine hasn’t practiced in a full capacity since dropping out of practice on Aug. 2 with a hamstring injury. He returned—albeit briefly—on Tuesday, but he spent much of the session with the rehab group.
Instead, Cisse was immediately thrown into the fire.
