Packers get a series of updates they were hoping to hear before facing the Bears in a crucial NFC North matchup
Green Bay finalized its Week 5 injury picture against Chicago, and the interior of the offensive line remains the group under the most pressure.
The offensive line remains the biggest topic of conversation for the Green Bay Packers after the team released its inactive list for the Week 5 game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. As expected, recently-signed right guard Kevin Zeitler is active to play, and he could start against the Bears after being inactive in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Zeitler’s availability is a welcome development for the interior of the line. More than that, Jager Burton is also active to serve as a backup. With that, despite some depth issues, Donovan Jennings is a healthy scratch.
Packers inactives
Week 5 vs. Chicago Bears
- G Jacob Monk
- G Aaron Banks
- G Donovan Jennings
- DT Anthony Campbell
Two guards out against Chicago
Left guard Aaron Banks is out with knee and toe injuries. He was listed as doubtful entering the weekend, so his absence wasn’t a surprise. Right guard Jacob Monk is also out after being listed as doubtful because of a quadriceps injury.
Zeitler’s activation comes at the right time. Without him, the Packers would be thin at both guard spots in a divisional game. The top backup is Travis Glover, who started at right guard last week.
Rookie interior offensive lineman Jager Burton adds another layer to the situation. The fifth-round pick was listed as questionable with a back injury, but he is now available. Burton didn’t practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday and Friday.
More questionable designations
The Packers had three players listed as questionable, and two of them came from the interior of the defensive line. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was questionable with a toe injury after popping up on the injury report on Friday, but the update is positive: the veteran will be active.
Anthony Campbell was also questionable with an ankle injury, and he’s officially inactive. Campbell had already missed the game against the Buccaneers, and he was limited at practice throughout the entire week.
Offensive pieces already ruled out
Green Bay had already ruled out running back Chris Brooks with an ankle injury on Saturday. The team placed him on injured reserve, so he will miss at least four games, and that’s why they promoted Pierre Strong Jr. to the 53-man roster.
Wide receiver Savion Williams is also unavailable because of an ankle injury. He was limited at practice throughout the week after being designated to return from IR, but the Packers haven’t activated him yet. As a consequence, Williams is still in his practice window and remains off the 53-man roster. They don’t appear on the inactive list because neither player is on the active roster at the moment.
