The Green Bay Packers are coming off one of the worst offensive line performances of the Matt LaFleur era last Sunday in Cleveland and are now limping into Sunday’s showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.
Not only is right tackle Zach Tom unlikely to play because of an oblique injury, but like Tom, left guard Aaron Banks didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday and is becoming less likely to play, and now right tackle Anthony Belton has an ankle injury that kept him out of Thursday’s practice.
If healthy, Belton would be a likely candidate to start in place of Tom at right tackle. Now, the Packers — who signed rookie Brant Banks to the 53-man roster and brought back Lecitus Smith to the practice squad this week — may have to scramble up front offensively.
The most likely offensive line combination if Tom, Banks and Belton can’t play is probably Rasheed Walker at left tackle, Jordan Morgan at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Sean Rhyan at right guard and Darian Kinnard at right tackle. Morgan was the first man up at right tackle when Tom left after one snap in Cleveland, but he’s also the top backup at left guard, and Kinnard’s most likely position is right tackle, where he’s played snaps during each of the first three games.
Also, it’s worth nothing that Walker, who has started all three games at left tackle, now has a quad injury but has practiced each of the last two days.
Other backups include Donovan Jennings, who is primarily a guard and hasn’t been active this season, and Banks, an undrafted rookie with no regular season experience. Smith and rookie Dalton Cooper is available on the practice squad.
The Packers need better blocking up front. Protecting Jordan Love has become an increasingly bigger concern, and run blocking has been poor dating back to last season. Injuries are certainly part of the equation, but even the healthy veterans, including center Elgton Jenkins, must play better.
The final injury report should provide more information. LaFleur said he would give everyone a chance to get “right” throughout the week, but official status designations will arrive on Friday afternoon. It’s possible the Packers starting offensive line won’t be set until Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: How will Packers manage mounting injuries along the offensive line vs. Cowboys?
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
