Packers have extra reason for concern in Week 1, and nobody feels it more than Jordan Love
Left guard Aaron Banks is officially inactive, even though right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele is ready to play against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers have released their inactives list for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. The biggest concern of the day was the offensive line, with right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and left guard Aaron Banks both listed as questionable with knee injuries.
Bako-Bewele will play, which is great news for quarterback Jordan Love, but Banks has been ruled out. Off-ball linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper is also out.
A sequence of issues for Banks
Aaron Banks has handled multiple injuries since arriving in Green Bay last season. He missed two games, but was limited at practice throughout several weeks. This year, the veteran missed chunks of training camp and all preseason with a knee injury, which also made him questionable for Week 1.
With Banks inactive, the Packers will start Donovan Jennings at left guard, with veteran but first-time starter Jacob Monk at right guard. Fifth-round rookie Jager Burton will be a backup.
Bako-Bewele is still somewhat recovering from his December partially torn patellar tendon, and he was limited throughout the week in practice. However, the right tackle had already confirmed that he would play against the Vikings. The question is more about how well he will feel in the game, but Bako-Bewele himself mentioned that he would play at his usual level.
Packers Week 1 inactives
at Vikings
- LB Ty’Ron Hopper
- G Aaron Banks
- T Travis Glover
- WR J. Michael Sturdivant
- DT Warren Brinson
- DT Anthony Campbell
More players missing the opener
Defensive tackle Warren Brinson had already been declared out with a calf injury. Even without him, though, the Packers still have strong depth at defensive tackle. Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Karl Brooks, Chris McClellan, and Jonathan Ford are all active, while Anthony Campbell is a healthy scratch.
Hopper didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but returned on a limited basis on Friday despite his Achilles injury. He is out too, though, which motivated the Packers to elevate Kristian Welch from the practice squad alongside Bo Melton.
