The Green Bay Packers have gone from an uneasy start to back-to-back wins, and a big part of that turnaround has been the steadier play up front. Laken Tomlinson has been a key piece of that shift, giving the offense a much-needed calm at left guard.
In his two games with Green Bay, Tomlinson has allowed only two total pressures and no sacks. His Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade over that stretch sits at 68.1, which is more than enough to justify keeping him in the lineup as long as he continues performing at that level.
That creates the next question for the Packers: what happens when Aaron Banks is ready to go?
Banks, who originally started at left guard against the New York Jets in Week 2 before leaving with a toe injury, has returned to practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. But with Tomlinson holding down the spot, it would be a tough sell to make a change just for the sake of getting Banks back on the field.
There’s also the bigger durability issue hanging over Banks. Since signing with Green Bay as a free agent in 2025, he has dealt with back, knee, ankle and groin injuries, and he missed the offseason because of a knee injury. That history only adds to the argument for sticking with the guard who is available and playing well.
The Packers do, at least, have the kind of problem teams like to have: two guards who can start. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich was asked about the left guard spot once Banks returns, and he told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, "That's gonna be an interesting thing."
Tomlinson is 34, so even if he keeps playing at this level, it’s hard to imagine him being part of Green Bay’s plans next season. But that’s a decision for later. Right now, the Packers should keep riding the stability he’s brought to the offensive line for as long as he keeps delivering.
In Other News...
Packers Defense Suddenly Looks Thin At The Worst Possible Time
The injury report landed at a tricky time for Green Bay, which is trying to get through Week 6 with its defense already under pressure. Nose tackle Jonathan Ford and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste are among the players ruled out, and receiver Skyy Moore will also miss the game, leaving the Packers to sort through some real depth concerns before facing the Cowboys.
The problems are most pronounced in the secondary, where the Packers can least afford to be stretched thin. Keisean Nixon is expected to play, but Brandon Cisse remains questionable, along with defensive tackle Anthony Campbell and wide receiver Savion Williams, so Green Bay is still waiting on a few key decisions before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Face A Risky WR Trade Debate As Injuries Keep Mounting
The Packers have steadied themselves lately, but the injury pileup at wide receiver has still left the roster with a familiar question: whether to stand pat or look for help. With the group thinned out, any trade chatter around a receiver feels more relevant than it might have a few weeks ago, especially for a team trying to keep its recent momentum intact while protecting its depth.
One name floating around is a young pass catcher whose NFL start has been uneven, which is exactly why this kind of discussion is tricky. Green Bay can use the conversation as a reminder of how thin the margin is at receiver, but it also has reason to be careful about paying meaningful draft capital for a player who has not yet put it all together. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Face A Sunday Night Test With Plenty To Prove Against Dallas
Sunday night brings a familiar kind of spotlight to Lambeau Field, with the Packers set to host Dallas in a game that ought to say plenty about where this team stands. It is the kind of matchup that invites big-picture questions, and the discussion around it has already turned to how Green Bay can make a statement against a Cowboys team that will demand a clean, physical performance.
The projections for the game lean into that idea, with Green Bays edge rush and ground game viewed as the clearest paths to control. A breakout night from one young pass rusher would go a long way toward changing the feel of the matchup, and the same can be said for a tight end who has already become a steady part of the offense. If the Packers are going to come out on top, they may need both of those elements to show up in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]