Packers use open roster spot to reward a deserving offensive player who has been waiting, but it may spell bad news for a star

Brant Banks deserves it.

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Brant Banks (72) is shown during a joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Brant Banks (72) is shown during a joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers had two open spots on the active 53-man roster after placing edge defender Brenton Cox and wide receiver Jayden Reed on injured reserve. On Tuesday, the team used one of those to reward a deserving player. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers are promoting rookie offensive tackle Brant Banks from the practice squad.

Brant Banks key stats in preseason

  • 50 total snaps (22 pass, 28 run) at LT
  • 89.1 pass block grade
  • 69.3 run block grade
  • 0 pressures given up
  • 100% block efficiency

Incredible preseason performance

Banks was one of the most notable players in preseason for the Packers. Obviously, he had the majority of his reps against backups and third-stringers, but he did pretty well. Banks had 50 snaps at left tackle, not giving up a single pressure.

The undrafted rookie finished the preseason with an 89.1 pass block grade via PFF, the best mark amongst Packers’ offensive linemen in the exhibition games.

Banks played college football at Nebraska and then Rice, where he spent his final two years of eligibility. Undrafted, he signed with the Packers immediately after the draft was over.

Now that he’s on the active roster, the 6-7 tackle is protected—on the practice squad, he could sign elsewhere at any point of the season.

Banks had been elevated for the Commanders game in Week 2, but only played four special teams snaps.

Suboptimal news for Zach Tom

Even though it’s a cool moment for Brant Banks, his promotion is probably not the best sign for Zach Tom’s availability for Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. The starting right tackle is handling an oblique injury. He missed the final part of the Detroit Lions game in Week 1 and the entire Week 2 matchup versus the Washington Commanders.

On Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, Tom tried to play through it, but realized after one snap that he wasn’t ready. It’s possible that the Packers will give him this week and the bye to fully recover.

Left guard Aaron Banks also left the Browns game injured. The eight Packers’ linemen who were active played at least four offensive snaps in Cleveland.

Now, the Packers have 10 offensive linemen on the active 53-man roster: Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Darian Kinnard, Donovan Jennings, and Brant Banks. The team still has Dalton Cooper on the practice squad.

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