The Green Bay Packers looked to come out of their season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings in decent shape, at least from a health standpoint. On Sept. 16, only one player on the active roster was missing from practice.
That absence belonged to defensive tackle Warren Brinson, who has not been available since he hurt his calf in the second preseason game in Denver. Brinson was also ruled out for Week 1 against the Vikings.
There was better news elsewhere on the injury front, starting with left guard Aaron Banks. He was back in practice after dealing with knee tendinitis since the offseason. Banks had been ruled out of the Week 1 matchup with Minnesota after working in a limited fashion all week leading into the game.
"We're trying to get him ramped up, ready to go, but that's a process that will take through the week," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.
Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele was also on the field and working with the rest of the offensive line. He made it through Week 1 in good shape while continuing his recovery from offseason knee surgery.
Cornerback Brandon Cisse was present and participating as well. The rookie had cramping issues during the Week 1 game, but still managed to record one solo tackle and a pass defended in his debut.
Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper was another player getting work outside at practice. Hopper had practiced one day last week and was ruled out against the Vikings because of an achilles injury.
With that, Green Bay now shifts its focus to a Week 2 road trip to face the New York Jets.
In Other News...
Josh Jacobs Update Leaves Packers Facing A Serious Off-Field Question
Josh Jacobs legal case has finally reached a formal resolution, but the details leave the Packers with more to absorb than a simple off-field update. The Green Bay running back entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a domestic disturbance case, leading to a battery conviction and a $1,000 fine, while the property damage count was handled through a deferred judgment arrangement.
The broader issue for Green Bay is that the matter is not entirely closed in the way a routine legal matter would be. The property damage charge can be dismissed in 12 months if Jacobs meets a set of conditions that includes counseling, supervision, restitution and no contact with the victim, and the victims legal team has also moved to seal surveillance footage tied to the incident. For a team trying to keep its season focused on football, the case leaves an uneasy off-field question hanging over one of its most important offensive players. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Just Made Another Move To Address A Growing D-Line Need
The Packers keep tweaking the bottom of the roster as they work to shore up a defensive line group that has been thinned by recent moves. After releasing receiver Chris Hilton Jr., Green Bay plans to sign defensive lineman Eric Johnson II to the practice squad, adding another body to a position where the team has been monitoring its options closely.
Johnson brings a bit of NFL mileage with him after entering the league as an Indianapolis Colts draft pick and later spending time with multiple teams. Green Bay has already brought in several players for tryouts at different spots, and this latest addition suggests the front office is still keeping the door open for more practice-squad activity as it sorts through lingering needs. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Passing Game Just Caught A Break Against The Jets
The Packers passing game may have found a small opening before it even gets to Week 2. Minkah Fitzpatrick came out of the Jets win over the Titans with a groin injury, and his expected absence for the next couple of weeks changes the look of New Yorks backend just as Green Bay starts preparing for the matchup.
In Fitzpatricks place, the Jets are leaning on Dane Belton, Malachi Moore and Andre Cisco to handle the safety snaps, a shuffle the Packers will be watching closely. Green Bay sees a chance to attack a secondary that suddenly looks more vulnerable, and how much it can take advantage of that void could matter in a game that already figures to draw plenty of attention. [Read more 🡒]