Packers Week 2 injury report raises concerns on both sides of the ball ahead of Jets matchup
Green Bay has a player listed as doubtful and four are questionable to play on Sunday.
The Green Bay Packers released their final injury report Friday ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, and the news maintains legitimate concern on both sides of the ball. Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele, left guard Aaron Banks, and edge defender Lukas Van Ness are both listed as questionable, while defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is doubtful, and Warren Brinson has been declared out.
Backup cornerback Benjamin St-Juste was also added to the injury report with a hamstring injury and is questionable to play.
Packers Week 2 injury report
Green Bay plays at the Jets on Sunday.
- DT Warren Brinson (out – calf)
- DT Javon Hargrave (doubtful – knee/concussion)
- RT Zach Bako-Bewele (questionable – knee)
- LG Aaron Banks (questionable – knee)
- EDGE Lukas Van Ness (questionable – concussion)
- CB Benjamin St-Juste (questionable – hamstring)
Banks’ return critical for the offensive line
Banks continues to deal with a knee injury that kept him out of the Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He practiced on a limited basis throughout the week, and there is a better expectation that he will suit up against the Jets than there was ahead of the opener.
Without Banks against the Vikings, the Packers started Donovan Jennings at left guard, and the results were catastrophic for the offense. Green Bay needs Banks back to stabilize a unit that struggled to protect quarterback Jordan Love and open running lanes in Week 1.
Bako-Bewele is also officially listed as questionable, but the Packers have already indicated that he’s healthy enough to play, like he did in Week 1.
Van Ness’ status could leave edge depth dangerously thin
Van Ness suffered a concussion and, like Banks, practiced in a limited capacity throughout the week. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Van Ness remains in the concussion protocol, so his availability Sunday is far from guaranteed.
If Van Ness cannot play, Green Bay would enter the game with only three edge defenders on the 53-man roster: Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton. One or both of the practice squad edge rushers, Arron Mosby and Nyjalik Kelly, would likely be elevated for game day to fill the gap.
Van Ness was the Packers’ best edge rusher against Minnesota, generating three pressures. His presence matters even more because the Packers are already operating without Micah Parsons, who is still recovering from an ACL injury and started the season on the physically unable to perform list.
Interior defensive line takes a hit
On the defensive tackle side, Warren Brinson is out and Javon Hargrave is not expected to play either. Brinson will miss his second consecutive game because of a calf injury. Hargrave, dealing with a concussion, practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday but sat out Thursday and Friday.
Losing both interior defenders would force Green Bay to lean on its depth along the defensive front, a challenge compounded by the questions at edge rusher. The leading options there are Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and third-round rookie Chris McClellan.
Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (Achilles), edge defender Barryn Sorrell (foot), and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle) are off the injury report and are expected to play.
Other side
