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A trouble-spot throughout camp because of inconsistent play at both guard spots, the Packers' starting five against the Titans will largely depend on what the tests on rookie right guard Josh Sitton's injured left knee reveal and how quickly center Scott Wells returns from his mysterious so-called ''trunk'' injury.
Sitton, who was making his third straight start, twisted his left knee on the Packers' second possession Friday night. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Saturday after the team returned to Green Bay.
With Wells out for the second time in three games, Jason Spitz moved to center and Daryn Colledge started at left guard. After Sitton went down, Tony Moll worked at right guard while Colledge moved to left tackle with the No. 2 line and Allen Barbre was inserted at left guard.
If Sitton's injury keeps him out an extended period - coach Mike McCarthy called it ''the most serious'' of the Packers' injuries and hinted that the recovery period could take time because of Sitton's rookie status - and Wells is healthy in time for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against Minnesota, the starting line could be the same as it was last season: Wells at center, Colledge at left guard, Spitz at right guard and Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher at the tackles.
If Wells' injury lingers and Sitton is out, Spitz would continue starting at center and the Packers would have to either start Moll, who has come on of late, at right guard or shift Colledge to right guard and start Barbre at left guard.
Although Colledge allowed one pressure against the Broncos, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said he showed improvement, and Colledge was hopeful after the game that he'd reclaimed a starting job.
''I think I put myself in a position to just be competitive at the position. At least they've got to give me a look,'' Colledge said. ''I'm going to do whatever makes this team better and makes this line better, whatever position that's at. But I thought I did pretty well.''
Sneaky, sneaky: With a young quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have resurrected the quarterback sneak in short-yardage situations after keeping it in mothballs for most the latter years of Brett Favre's tenure. Rodgers said he went to McCarthy with the idea during the offseason.
''I said, 'Hey, third and inches, let's quarterback sneak it. I'd love it.' And he was all for it,'' said Rodgers, who had three sneaks that resulted in two first downs and a touchdown against the Broncos. ''In situations we had, we had a fourth-and-1, a third-and-1, and a third-and-goal from inside the 1. Those are important downs for us and important situations, and I'd rather have the ball in my hands with a shorter distance to go than to turn and give it to a back.''
Take it easy: Rodgers and the rest of the starters don't expect to see much action against the Titans, who under coach Jeff Fisher traditionally have played their starters the most in their preseason finales. Rodgers and the first-string offense may only play a series, while veteran cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris could be inactive, just as they were against Cincinnati in the opener.
''We definitely made enough plays to feel confident about our offense going into the regular season,'' Rodgers said. ''A lot of times the fourth game is just to stay healthy. I know they're going to have to make some decisions in the next couple days about our roster, but that's a game where I think spots are won a lot of times. Hopefully we showed enough (against the Broncos) that we're ready for the regular season, but that's coach's decision. If he wants us to play longer than a series, two series, a quarter, then we'll do it.''
Halfbacks Ryan Grant (hamstring) and DeShawn Wynn (ankle), who both missed Friday night's game, could see additional time against the Titans, although Grant, who has yet to play in the preseason after a contract dispute, might not be worth risking for more than a series or two. Wynn needs a strong outing to make the team with Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and rookie free agent Kregg Lumpkin having moved past him on the depth chart.
Defensively, safety Charlie Peprah (knee), defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (hamstring), defensive tackle Justin Harrell (back) and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) have yet to see action in the exhibition season.
Quarterback competition: With Rodgers' time limited, rookie backups Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn figure to see extended action after barely playing against the Broncos. They threw a combined six passes, with Brohm going 0-for-4 while Flynn was 2-for-2 for just 2 yards.
''We need to give Brian and Matt more opportunities in the passing game next week because they didn't have many opportunities (against Denver),'' McCarthy said.
Brohm did little to inspire confidence in him as the primary backup behind Rodgers in his limited action against Denver, and he enters the preseason finale having completed 12 of 30 passes (40 percent) for 103 yards with an interception for a 35.8 rating. Third-stringer Matt Flynn is 19 for 29 for 132 yards with a touchdown, no interceptions and three sacks for an 87.2 rating.
''I'm definitely looking forward to every playing opportunity,'' Brohm said. ''Especially it being the last preseason game, I'd like to go out there and put on a good showing and to do the right things when you watch the film the next day to be able to have a positive outlook about it.''
