The Packers got one key answer and one painful question for Week 1.
Zach Bako-Bewele is active for Green Bay’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, giving the offense a major lift on the right side. But Aaron Banks is out, which means rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton gets thrown straight into the fire at left guard.
That’s the headline for a Packers offensive line that suddenly has to sort itself out against Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota. Burton spent a lot of time with the first-team offense during camp and drew strong reviews all summer, but this is a very different stage. Communication up front is going to matter immediately, especially with a new-look group trying to hold together under pressure.
Banks’ absence is the bigger surprise. He had been working through a knee injury and was pushing to make it back for Week 1, but he’s not ready yet.
That leaves Burton with a real chance to make an early impression and maybe push his way into Green Bay’s long-term plans at either guard spot. It also raises the question of whether the Packers would be better off giving Banks more time to recover.
Bako-Bewele’s return, though, is the real boost. He’s one of the best right tackles in football, and Green Bay felt his absence badly after his season-ending knee injury.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bako-Bewele allowed zero sacks on 351 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. The only lingering concern is how close he is to full strength.
Last month, he said he expected to be ready for Week 1, but also admitted he wasn’t “quite there” yet.
Even so, getting him back matters a lot against a Vikings defense that will throw plenty at the Packers’ front.
Green Bay’s inactive list also includes defensive tackle Warren Brinson and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, along with OL Travis Glover, WR J. Michael Sturdivant and DT Anthony Campbell.
The full Packers inactive list: DL Warren Brinson, OL Aaron Banks, LB Ty’Ron Hopper, OL Travis Glover, WR J. Michael Sturdivant, DT Anthony Campbell.
Minnesota’s inactive list: RB Demond Claiborne, CB Zemaiah Vaughn, S Jakobe Thomas, C Nick Samac, T Caleb Tiernan, DL Elijah Williams, and QB J.J. McCarthy as the emergency third quarterback.
Brinson’s absence had been expected after he hurt his calf in pregame warmups before the Packers’ second preseason game against the Denver Broncos. He still hasn’t returned to practice, but Green Bay has enough bodies to absorb it. The Packers kept seven defensive tackles on the 53-man roster, and that depth should help cover the loss.
That group includes former Viking Javon Hargrave, who is set to make his Packers debut Sunday. Devonte Wyatt is also back after the broken fibula and torn ankle ligaments that ended his 2025 season on Thanksgiving, and third-round pick Chris McClellan gives Green Bay another option inside.
So while the Packers have some real concerns entering Week 1, especially on the offensive line, the defensive tackle rotation shouldn’t be one of them.
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