"I think it's obvious the way we play on defense, we have multiple personnel groups," McCarthy said. "What's most important is to the players that now have an opportunity. I'm excited to see these guys step up."

Receiver Trevor Davis is a candidate to come off injured reserve to help the return game, but Gutekunst did not confirm that would happen. He does expect the roster to be back to a full 53 players by the end of the week.

"Our locker room knows where we're headed," Gutekunst said, also emphasizing the communication with the coaching staff has been constant throughout the process.

"You're always going to see some inconsistencies before your team settles in to what it's going to be. I think we're getting close to that."

As if anyone needs to know what's next, it's the Patriots, on the road, in prime time, Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers, and a chance to prove what Gutekunst is saying – that taking the unbeaten Rams to the wire and coming up just short is a better indication of who the 2018 Packers are than the roller coaster the team rode through the first six games before the bye.