Packers make telling offensive line decision before Week 4 game against the Buccaneers
Green Bay finalized its inactive list against Tampa Bay with several injuries up front, and they took two different paths along the offensive line.
The Green Bay Packers released their inactive list for the Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The most important part of it isn’t about the players who were questionable to play. It’s the decision in regards to the offensive linemen the team recently signed to the 53-man roster.
Guards Laken Tomlinson is active against the Buccaneers, but Kevin Zeitler is inactive and won’t play yet. Each of them signed after the Week 3 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Tomlinson arrived over the weekend, and Zeitler signed on Wednesday. The turnaround was too short for Zeitler, though.
On the other hand, rookie guard Jager Burton, who was questionable with a groin injury, is officially active. Because the Packers placed defensive tackle Warren Brinson on IR, the roster has only 52 active players. Therefore, the Packers needed to de-activate only four players.
Packers inactives
Week 4 at Buccaneers
- IOL Jacob Monk
- G Aaron Banks
- G Kevin Zeitler
- DT Anthony Campbell
Tomlinson at left guard, surprise on the right side
Tomlinson is expected to start at left guard. He practiced there throughout the week, so he should be the left guard against Tampa Bay. His familiarity with the offensive scheme helps.
Zeitler’s situation is different. He didn’t take snaps with the first-team offensive line during the open portion of practice. However, he stood beside right tackle Anthony Belton and took the mental reps with the starters. That gives Zeitler at least a possibility of starting for the Packers next week, but it’s too soon at this point.
Without Zeitler, the starting right guard was expected to be Donovan Jennings, who took the snaps at the right guard spot during the week. Jennings had played at left guard previously. However, Packers Radio Network reported that Travis Glover is actually the option at RG.
Injuries forced Green Bay’s hand
The Packers have several health issues along the offensive line. Zach Bako-Bewele is out for the season with an injury. Left guard Aaron Banks is out of this game with knee and toe injuries. Right guard Jacob Monk is also out after the team ruled him out on Friday with a quadricep issue. That’s a lot of change for one position group in a single week.
The other offensive lineman Green Bay signed recently and won’t be active is Mekhi Becton. He signed to the practice squad, not to the active 53-man roster. The Packers decided not to elevate him for game day, so Becton won’t be available to play on Sunday.
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was in the concussion protocol, but the team cleared him on Saturday. He will be active to play against Tampa Bay, which is a big boost for the defense.
