Right when the Packers believed their offensive line was set, another concern is suddenly on the radar
It’s another problem for Matt LaFleur.
Right tackle Zach Tom is trending in the right direction, left guard Aaron Banks is as well. It looked like the Green Bay Packers would finally have their entire starting offensive line available to play on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Well, not so fast.
On Wednesday, left tackle Rasheed Walker popped up on the injury report with a quad injury. On Thursday, he stayed inside Hutson Center and did not participate in practice.
Walker hasn’t been exactly stellar this season, but he’s a viable starting left tackle. And with so many injuries, his availability was always a positive factor. Walker has played 261 of the 265 offensive snaps the Packers have had this season — on the other four, he had a helmet issue during the Cleveland Browns game in Week 3.
Alternatives at left tackle
If Rasheed Walker can’t play on Sunday, the natural replacement is last year’s first-round pick Jordan Morgan, who played at left tackle with the ones for most of the preseason and performed at a high level. Throughout the first month of the season, with injuries elsewhere, Morgan was forced to move across the line, playing at both guard spots and at right tackle.
The big problem is that the Packers are already thin in terms of depth, because Anthony Belton missed the Dallas Cowboys game and this entire week of practice so far with an ankle injury — head coach Matt LaFleur didn’t sound promising about Belton’s availability on Sunday.
Considering that Tom and Banks play, the Packers’ offensive line would have Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, and Zach Tom. However, any other absence would force the team to play Darian Kinnard once again — at least, he has tackle and guard versatility.
Roster decisions
Beyond those players mentioned above, the Packers only have Donovan Jennings on the 53-man roster. Last week, the team decided to waive rookie Brant Banks, and he ended up being claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans.
The good news is that interior offensive lineman Jacob Monk, a fifth-round pick last year, is returning from a hamstring injury after starting the season on injured reserve. The Packers opened his 21-day practice window on Monday, and he’s been limited at practice. It doesn’t mean he will be available this week, but there’s a shot.
Green Bay also has veteran Lecitus Smith and rookie Dalton Cooper on the practice squad. Smith was elevated for the Cowboys game, but didn’t have to play.
Injuries have derailed continuity along the Packers’ offensive line this season. Through four games, Green Bay has had multiple players performing at every position except center, while Morgan and Belton played more than one position.
Snaps per position this season
LT: Rasheed Walker (261), Anthony Belton (4)
LG: Jordan Morgan (191), Aaron Banks (74)
C: Elgton Jenkins (265)
RG: Sean Rhyan (250), Jordan Morgan (15)
RT: Darian Kinnard (119), Anthony Belton (84), Zach Tom (31), Jordan Morgan (30)
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