With Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, the Green Bay Packers feel great about their starting outside linebackers.

 

The depth hasn't quite developed, though, which is why the team hosted free agent Ahmad Brooks on Tuesday. Brooks, a two-time second-team All-Pro, was released by the San Francisco 49ers last week.

 

Brooks is 33, which would make him the third-oldest player on a Packers roster that perennially has been one of the youngest in the league under general manager Ted Thompson.

 

However, Kyler Fackrell, last year's third-round pick, and Jayrone Elliott, a key special teams player, haven't seized the opportunities created by the free-agent departures of veterans Julius Peppers (Carolina) and Datone Jones (Minnesota).

 

Fackrell has no sacks and only one tackle despite seeing significant action in all three preseason games.

 

Rookie Vince Biegel, a fourth-round draft pick, remains sidelined following foot surgery in May. It's possible he will open the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, which would keep him out for the first six weeks.

 

The Packers will count on Fackrell, Elliott and the rest of their young backups in Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams.

 

Matthews (groin tightness) and Perry (ankle) were knocked out of Saturday's preseason game, didn't practice on Tuesday and won't play on Thursday. Speaking before Tuesday's practice, coach Mike McCarthy said he didn't have any "long-term" concern about either of the injuries.

 

That's crucial because of the uncertainty behind that duo. Peppers and Jones played more than 1,100 snaps last season and Thompson added only one major piece to the position in the offseason in Biegel.