The Minnesota Vikings entered their first regular-season practice week without major injury concerns. The Green Bay Packers did not.
Green Bay listed eight players on Wednesday’s injury report, including three projected starting offensive linemen. Left tackle Jordan Morgan, left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele were all limited participants with knee injuries, according to the Packers’ official report.
None has been ruled out for Sunday’s NFC North opener at U.S. Bank Stadium. In fact, Bako-Bewele has said he expects to play. But the Packers will spend the rest of the week monitoring key members of an offensive line that will face one of the NFL’s most demanding communication tests.
The Packers have questions at three spots
Bako-Bewele’s status appears the most encouraging.
The right tackle was limited Wednesday after a knee issue affected his training camp and preseason workload, but he told The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman he “definitely” plans to play against Minnesota. He also said he believes he is as ready as he can be for a game, even after an imperfect summer.
Banks and Morgan are less settled.
Matt LaFleur said Banks will start at left guard if he is able to play, but the veteran has missed significant time while working through his knee issue. Rookie Jager Burton took substantial practice reps at left guard during camp and would be the logical replacement if Banks cannot go.
Morgan is projected to start at left tackle. His knee issue is especially notable because it places both tackle spots on the injury report, even if Bako-Bewele remains optimistic about playing.
The Packers will not have to make final decisions until Friday. A limited practice on Wednesday is not a game-status designation, and teams frequently manage workloads early in the week. But three starters being limited is a situation worth monitoring in a road opener against Brian Flores’ defense.
Why the line matters against Flores
Minnesota’s pressure plan is not simply about sending extra rushers.
Flores forces offenses to identify who is rushing, who is dropping into coverage and where the protection has to account for a potential free runner. Those calls become more difficult in a loud stadium, particularly if the offense has not had a full week of practice continuity with its preferred five-man line.
LaFleur acknowledged Wednesday that an offense can be forced to live with a free runner when a defense brings more pressure than it can block. In those moments, the quarterback needs an immediate hot answer.
He also said Green Bay showed players examples from last season’s Vikings matchup in which the Packers were fortunate that communication issues did not result in more damaging plays.
Jordan Love is capable of making the quick decisions required against that type of pressure. But the Packers would certainly prefer to provide him with an intact front than ask inexperienced replacements to sort out Flores’ disguise packages in their first meaningful action of the season.
Green Bay also listed defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Devonte Wyatt as limited, along with edge rusher Barryn Sorrell. Defensive tackle Warren Brinson and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper did not practice.
Vikings report only three rookies
Minnesota’s official report contained only three names, all rookies.
Safety Jakobe Thomas did not participate because of an illness. Safety Jacob Thomas and tackle Caleb Tiernan were limited with ankle injuries sustained during the preseason. None is projected to play a significant offensive or defensive role Sunday.
The report does not include every roster question. Harrison Smith is still ramping up after signing late, and the Vikings have not announced how large a workload he could handle against Green Bay. But Minnesota’s active roster otherwise enters Week 1 in relatively good shape.
That is a contrast with the Packers, whose injury report includes multiple starters on both sides of the ball.
The Wednesday report is only a starting point. Bako-Bewele’s confidence is encouraging for Green Bay, but the status of Morgan and Banks will determine whether the Packers can take the field Sunday with the offensive-line continuity they want against the Vikings.
A new update will follow on Thursday.
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