GREEN BAY – When Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur was asked Aug. 14 whether left guard Aaron Banks’ limited training camp participation was due to surgery on his knee this offseason, he said, “I’ll let him answer that.”
Two days later, Banks did, and the answer is no.
LaFleur may be frustrated that his starting left guard has missed most of camp for the second straight season, but he’s not alone.
“Nobody’s more frustrated than I am about not being able to be out there right now,” Banks said.
LaFleur’s comment that Packers rookie Jager Burton’s performance was going to make it extremely difficult for Banks to get his starting job back may have been said out of frustration or the sense that he has no idea when Banks will be healthy.
According to Banks, he started experiencing discomfort in his knee during offseason workouts. He had fully recovered from a groin injury that dogged him much of last season and didn’t think the knee injury was something that would linger.
However, when he returned for training camp, it still hadn’t settled down. He described it as tendinitis that flared up anytime he does strenuous football movements.
“It’s one of those things where if you don’t fully let it get there [healed] and keep pushing on it, then it just lingers,” Banks said. “It’s just a balance making sure we’re on the right side of it.”
Banks has been taking part in drills early in practice to work on fundamentals, but he has not been cleared for 11-on-11 drills. On Aug. 16, for example, he was in full pads and went through various hand-placement and footwork drills with his teammates.
Once the pace picks up and game situations are simulated, he’s done for the day.
“I’m taking it day by day,” Banks said. “Once it feels good enough, I’ll be ready. We’re moving in the right direction. But it doesn’t feel good enough [for full practice]. You can go out there and do individuals in a controlled setting. We’re just trying to be smart.”
Banks said the coaches are aware of the recovery plan the trainers created to get him ready for the season opener. He said he was told from the beginning that the healing process wouldn’t be quick and that he would have to be patient.
He said he has spoken with LaFleur about it and there is no confusion about the recovery plan. Banks said no one has brought up surgery as an option and the only thing he’s been told is that it wasn’t going to clear up quickly.
“I’d like to get as many reps as I can get, but it’s an offense I’m familiar with and what we’re trying to do and accomplish,” Banks said. “Being in it last year definitely makes it so I know what they expect of me and what they want to see from a fundamental standpoint
“And I’m getting fundamental work. I’m getting the walk-through, jog-through reps, so I’m still building that cohesion with everyone. It’s just one of those things. It’s annoying. I pride myself in being out there and working hard and setting an example that way. I’m doing everything I can to get back.”
As for losing his starting job, Banks said he’s only concerned with getting healthy.
The Packers signed Banks to a four-year, $77 million free-agent contract last year and converted $15.985 million of base salary and roster bonus this year into a signing bonus, which allowed them to create $12.7 million of salary cap space.
Teams don’t invest that kind of money in a player and not play him, especially when he has 64 starts under his belt and doesn’t turn 29 until September.
So, even if Burton keeps playing well, the Packers need the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Banks back in the lineup playing the way he did during three seasons as a starter with the San Francisco 49ers (2022-24). They have two weeks of training camp left and three weeks of practice before they start preparations for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13.
Banks said there is time for him to get in sync with the rest of the line and be ready for the season. As far as what Burton’s doing, Banks said he has done everything he can to help him develop and isn’t afraid of competition.
“There’s thousands of guys who are competing for your spot,” Banks said. “I’ve known that for a long time. At one point, I was one of those guys nipping at someone else’s heels. That’s the nature of the NFL. There’s always somebody on your heels.
“If you get complacent, they’ll put the next guy in. That’s something that’s always been in the back of my mind. Every year I’ve been in the league I’ve known that. So, I just have to keep working and keep trying to get better. I’m working it every day and doing everything I can to be out there.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Tendinitis in his knee is testing Packers guard Aaron Banks’ patience
Reporting by Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tom Silverstein, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
