Packers concerning string of injuries leaves the offense in a tough spot before primetime battle with the Commanders
Aaron Banks and Zach Tom are questionable to play.
The Green Bay Packers are handling two concerning situations at the same spot. The team released its injury report against the Washington Commanders game on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ and two offensive linemen are listed as questionable to play. Right tackle Zach Tom has an oblique injury, while left guard Aaron Banks is handling ankle and groin issues.
Edge defender Brenton Cox (groin) and cornerback Bo Melton (shoulder) are out. Three other players are listed as questionable: Cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee), safety Zayne Anderson (knee), and edge defender Micah Parsons (back).
Head coach Matt LaFleur said that, even if Tom and Banks didn’t practice ahead of the game, the coaching staff will still wait to see if they can be available on Thursday. None of these problems are considered long term.
“We’ll see. We’ll give them all the way up to game time to see where they’re at,” LaFleur explained on Tuesday. “Certainly, two guys that have a lot of experience, so I’m not as concerned about them. We’re walking through, but there are no live reps this week. We’ll just see where we’re at.”
Options
It will be curious to see what the Packers will do in each possible scenario. So let’s go through every one of them.
If Zach Tom can play and Aaron Banks can’t, it’s the easiest outcome to project. Last year’s first-round pick Jordan Morgan was rotating at right guard with Sean Rhyan and played five snaps at left guard after Banks left the game. He would be the natural option.
If both Tom and Banks are out, Morgan would still probably be the left guard. Recently-acquired Darian Kinnard and second-round rookie Anthony Belton are the alternatives to play right tackle—Kinnard played earlier and had more snaps against the Detroit Lions, but both participated in the game. Due to his experience, Kinnard would likely start—he showed solid run-blocking skill on Sunday, despite some pass protection issues.
The most difficult scenario to project is if Banks can play, but Tom can’t. Theoretically, Morgan is the sixth offensive lineman. He has plenty of experience at tackle, but always on the left side. In the preseason, he played 61 snaps at left tackle, but he hasn’t taken a single rep at right tackle in a game—he has in practices over the past two years, though. The problem is that without Banks at practice, Morgan should have had all of his reps at guard, making a move to right tackle more challenging.
Injury report
Wide receiver Matthew Golden (ankle), quarterback Jordan Love (left thumb), wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot), edge defender Barryn Sorrell (knee), linebacker Quay Walker (quadricep), punter Daniel Whelan (knee), and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) are all off the injury report and ready to play. On the Commanders, there are two players listed as questionable: Punter Tress Way (back) and edge defender Deatrick Wise (knee).
OUT
CB Bo Melton (shoulder)
EDGE Brenton Cox Jr. (groin)
QUESTIONABLE
T Zach Tom (oblique)
G Aaron Banks (ankle/groin)
CB Nate Hobbs (knee)
S Zayne Anderson (knee)
EDGE Micah Parsons (back)
Green Bay Packers News
Packers find the perfect formula to keep big offensive star locked in past 2025 with creative deal
Christian Watson isn’t going anywhere.
