LaFleur’s plan for final week: Divide and conquer

There is plenty at stake entering the final week of training camp ... and the Chicago Bears are looming.

In baseball’s spring training, sometimes there are split-squad games. For the final week of the NFL preseason, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur might go to split-squad practices.

Starting Sunday, the team’s front-line players will turn their attention to the Week 1 showdown at the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, with roster spots up for grabs and depth-chart battles at practically every position group, LaFleur wants those players to be mentally ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Thursday’s preseason finale.

“There are still some positional battles that are going on and you want to make sure these guys going into the last preseason game are well-prepared in terms of what they’re going to see, so they can go out and play good quality football,” LaFleur said on Friday, a day after a 22-21 loss to Oakland in Winnipeg.

Under former coach Mike McCarthy, quarterback Aaron Rodgers would spend the last week of training camp running the scout team to get the defense ready for the final preseason game. Instead, Rodgers and Co. could spend the week getting ready for the mighty Bears defense. There was nothing inherently wrong with McCarthy’s way of doing business, with the Packers generally opening on a Sunday and McCarthy able to work in an extra day of practice. With this season opening on a Thursday night, LaFleur doesn’t have the benefit of time on his side.

There is plenty to sort out during practices on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and the game on Thursday. Here’s a quick-hit primer on the big remaining battles:

Quarterback: While Tim Boyle has thoroughly outplayed Deshone Kizer – it’s 45-10 on the scoreboard – LaFleur is going to let the battle run its course. Said LaFleur: “It’s what we talk about on a daily basis – can you put together back-to-back days and show that consistency that we’re trying to establish in that position?”

Running back: Tra Carson continues to run ahead of sixth-round pick Dexter Williams for the third back. Why? Well, that was evident on third downs, when Carson frequently replaced Williams. “I think just overall knowledge of knowing what to do – especially when it comes to pass protection,” LaFleur said. “I think Tra’s done a really nice job.”

Receiver: Sometimes, hotly contested roster battles sort themselves out. That could be the case with Equanimeous St. Brown’s ankle injury potentially sidelining him for six weeks. With St. Brown out, perhaps there’s room for Trevor Davis, Darrius Shepherd and Allen Lazard – assuming he’s OK – to join Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow.

Offensive line: The battle between Lane Taylor and rookie Elgton Jenkins at left guard went nowhere on Thursday, with LaFleur keeping both on the sideline.

Defensive line: Can Fadol Brown force his way onto the roster as a sixth lineman? During the offseason practices and start of camp, it looked like Brown might have a key role. Instead, a calf injury kept him out of the first three preseason games. He’ll need a big final week.

Inside linebacker: Curtis Bolton’s knee injury adds even more uncertainty to a position group that lost Oren Burns in the preseason opener. Blake Martinez is joined by seventh-round pick Ty Summers and former undrafted free agents James Crawford and Brady Sheldon. Those three have played one regular-season defensive snap.

Cornerback: Presumably, Tony Brown has clinched the No. 4 spot and Josh Jackson will have to work his way up from No. 5. If Chandon Sullivan turns in one consistently strong performance, he could win a job as a sixth cornerback. He broke up three passes against the Raiders.

Safety: Raven Greene will be the third safety. After that? Will Josh Jones’ mystery illness clear up so he can practice this week? When will Ibraheim Campbell be cleared following last year’s torn ACL? As it stands, Will Redmond has passed Natrell Jamerson and Mike Tyson and might be the front-runner for a fourth spot.

Special teams: Long snapper Hunter Bradley hasn’t had a catastrophic snap but JK Scott had to make a shoestring catch on one of his first-quarter punts.