Sophia
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers are facing a significant challenge to their offensive line depth as they prepare for Sunday night’s crucial road game against the Dallas Cowboys. A Thursday practice in pads revealed further complications, with key starters and potential replacements battling various ailments.
Offensive Line Woes Deepen
What began as concern for left tackle Rasheed Walker and rookie tackle Anthony Belton on Wednesday’s injury report escalated on Thursday. Coach Matt LaFleur, when pressed about their status, offered a telling, albeit vague, response: “There’s always concern.”
The situation is particularly dire for the offensive line. Right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and left guard Aaron Banks (groin) both missed their second consecutive practice. Both players were inactive in Week 2 and struggled through Week 3, with Tom playing just one snap and Banks missing the entire second half against Cleveland. Their potential absence already presented a significant hurdle.
Adding to the headache, rookie tackle Anthony Belton (ankle), who was a candidate to start at right tackle, did not practice on Thursday. He was conspicuously absent from both the pre-practice stretch and the open portion of practice. This leaves the Packers potentially without three key figures on their offensive front.
“We’ll give them every opportunity to get right, just like the other guys,” LaFleur stated, emphasizing the team’s hope for recovery, however slim.
If Tom, Banks, and Belton are indeed sidelined, the Packers might be forced to trot out a completely revamped offensive line featuring Rasheed Walker at left tackle, Jordan Morgan at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Sean Rhyan at right guard, and Darian Kinnard at right tackle.
Defensive Reinforcements Emerge
While the offense struggles with injuries, the defense appears to be trending in a positive direction. Starting defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who left Sunday’s loss to Cleveland with a knee injury, practiced for a second consecutive day and showed good mobility. Wyatt has been a disruptive force, ranking second on the team with two sacks and tied for second with two passes defensed. He also stands out among NFL interior defensive linemen with 13 pressures and a strong pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I think he’s been trending that way going back to last year,” LaFleur commented on Wyatt’s progress. “Certainly, he’s getting more opportunities now. He’s taking advantage of those. I think it’s just playing the game, the more you play it, the more you learn, and he’s playing fast. He’s playing at a high level. He’s doing a great job fundamentally, just getting off the football, playing with his hands, defeating blocks. So, I’m really happy with his progress.”
Additionally, starting nickel defender Javon Bullard, who sustained a concussion late in the Cleveland game, practiced in pads. While he remains in concussion protocol, practicing is a crucial step towards his return to play, offering a glimmer of hope for the secondary.
The “Next Man Up” Mentality
The constant shuffling of personnel due to injuries has undoubtedly impacted the Packers’ offensive line continuity. Through three games, the running game has struggled to find its rhythm, and the pass protection, which held strong in the first two weeks, faltered against Cleveland as Jordan Love faced consistent pressure.
While injuries are a legitimate reason for struggles, LaFleur stressed the NFL’s “next man up” philosophy. “Yeah, you can use that as an excuse always, but it is what it is,” LaFleur said. “It’s the National Football League. Guys got to be ready to step up and step in, and you can’t miss a beat. That is what it is. Every team’s dealing with this. We’re not the only ones, so you’ve got to find a way.”
Center Elgton Jenkins, who admitted his own performance against the Browns was subpar, echoed the sentiment. “At the end of the day, this is the NFL and it’s the next man up no matter who’s playing and who’s not,” Jenkins stated. “We expect whoever’s in there [on the] starting five to go out there and play at that level that we want to play at in our room.”
Jenkins acknowledged the Browns’ strong defensive front but emphasized the Packers’ internal belief in their ability to overcome any challenge. “Just look at the film, we wasn’t, we didn’t play our game and we didn’t play to the standard we can play to, that I know we can play to. We’ve got to move guys off the ball. We’ve got to be able to protect. And just moving forward, though, we’ve just got to get better.”
Thursday’s Official Injury Report
The official injury reports for Thursday will be released later this afternoon, providing a clearer picture of who will be available for Sunday’s critical matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Packers will need every healthy body they can get to contend with a formidable Cowboys squad and keep their season on track.
For additional details and updates on the Packers’ injury situation, you can refer to authoritative sources like NFL.com’s official injury report.
