Callahan solid again as Packers fall to Chiefs, 17-7
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Rookie quarterback Joe Callahan capped a strong preseason by throwing for 143 yards and a touchdown as the Green Bay Packers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-7 in their preseason finale Thursday night.
Callahan played almost the entire way in a game featuring second- and third-teamers on both sides. The product of Division III Wesley College has been trying to earn the No. 3 job behind Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley, who has been sidelined by an ankle injury this preseason.
The only first-stringers to see much of the field were specialists on both teams.
They needed some practice, too.
After the Chiefs' third straight three-and-out in the first quarter, Dustin Colquitt's punt was blocked by Green Bay wide receiver Ty Montgomery. The Packers only needed two plays for Callahan to hit tight end Jared Cook for the game's opening touchdown.
The game also featured the debut of Green Bay punter Jacob Schum, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay this week. Schum replaced veteran punter Tim Masthay in a surprising roster move.
Kansas City running back Knile Davis, who could be traded by the weekend, ran 15 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. The former third-round draft pick also caught a pass out of the backfield.
Darrin Reaves also had 63 yards rushing and a touchdown for Kansas City.
ROOKIE WATCH
Packers: SS Marwin Evans had six tackles for Green Bay before getting shaken up on special teams. RB Brandon Burks had 31 yards rushing on 12 carries in the contest.
Chiefs: SS Eric Murray had a pair of tackles as he tries to win a backup job. WR Tyreek Hill was targeted four times without a reception, dropping one pass that would have been a first down.
POSITION BATTLES
Packers: The wide receiver depth after Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb remains in flux. Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jared Abbrederis are in the mix. Abbrederis had two catches for 49 yards Thursday night, while Adams caught two passes for 20 yards.
Chiefs: LBs Ramik Wilson and Justin March are competing for Kansas City's inside linebacker spot alongside Derrick Johnson following a season-ending injury to Josh Mauga. Wilson had a nice tackle for loss early in the game and appeared to have the inside track.
INJURY UPDATE
Packers: Rookie WR Trevor Davis left the game with a shoulder injury after making a nice catch along the sideline on the first series of the game. Geronimo Allison replaced him on the next possession.
Chiefs: The Chiefs rested RB Jamaal Charles and LB Tamba Hali, just as they did their first three preseason games. Both are coming off knee surgery but are expected to play in the season opener.
BERRY SITS OUT
As expected, Chiefs SS Eric Berry sat out the preseason finale. Berry signed his franchise tender last weekend and finally reported to training camp, but only practiced a couple of days. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he expects Berry to be ready for the regular season.