This position looked a lot more settled a week ago, when the Green Bay Packers knew who the two starters were and felt pretty good about the backups.

Now, after defensive leader Desmond Bishop severely injured his hamstring and is likely out for the season, the picture is muddier.

Second-year tackle machine D.J. Smith inherits Bishop’s spot. Smith played very well last year subbing for Bishop, racking up 27 tackles and an interception in three starts. Now that the top backup is in the starting lineup, the unit’s depth deteriorates.

A.J. Hawk is the steady, if underwhelming, starter opposite Smith. He’s been in Green Bay for seven seasons and, though the former top-five pick is nothing special, he communicates the defensive calls and hasn’t done anything to lose his job.

Smith and Hawk are locks. After that, Jamari Lattimore, Rob Francois, Terrell Manning and Brad Jones are probably battling for two spots.

Lattimore looks to be in. He played well in the intrasquad scrimmage, was solid in the preseason opener and has been fast and intuitive in practice. An outside linebacker last year, he added weight and strength and seems well-suited to the inside. He’s also valuable on special teams.

Francois has size and smarts -- he’s not as athletic, but he compensates by being in the right place at the right time. His reliability is key.

That leaves Manning and Jones. Manning was a fifth round pick who many thought should’ve stayed in school another year. He made some really big plays, but he was inconsistent. He hasn’t been inconsistent in Green Bay, but he hasn’t really made any plays, either. He’s just been invisible. For a defense that needs playmakers, that’s probably worse.

Jones can play inside or outside linebacker and he’s an asset on special teams. He also showed late last year his not-often-enough-seen ability to rush the passer. He’ll make the team as a versatile swingman who can play either linebacker position.

Final prediction: Smith, Hawk, Lattimore, Francois, Smith (ILB-OLB).

For more Packers news and notes, follow James Carlton on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLGB.