GREEN BAY \u2014 Despite encouraging signs from both right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and left guard Aaron Banks, the Green Bay Packers head into their regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis with 40% of their starting offensive line listed as questionable for the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Head coach Matt LaFleur officially listed both Bako-Bewele and Banks as questionable for the matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium, with both players having battled knee issues throughout camp and been limited in each of the three practices this week.<\/p>\n
LaFleur said it was \u201cgood to have them out there\u201d at practice but that the team will have to \u201csee where they\u2019re at\u201d heading into Sunday.<\/p>\n
Bako-Bewele suffered a season-ending partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee during a Dec. 14 loss at Denver \u2014 the same game in which first-team All-Pro edge rusher tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and was lost for the year.<\/p>\n
Banks, meanwhile, battled knee tendinitis throughout camp after battling a myriad of injuries in his first season with the team in 2025.<\/p>\n
Neither player took a full single-day complement of first-team 11-on-11 snaps all summer long in training camp, so it\u2019s hard to know whether either of them is capable of handling a full regular-season game\u2019s worth of work. LaFleur went so far as to say that rotating Bako-Bewele\u2019s and Banks\u2019 backups in at times to give them a rest is \u201con the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it hasn’t been [ideal]. I’m not going to sit here and lie and say it’s been perfect. There’s been some ups and downs,\u201d Bako-Bewele said earlier in the week. \u201cBut I think with where we’re at right now, yeah I think I’m about as ready as I can feel to play a game. Obviously [we\u2019re] not going to find out ’til we actually go out and play, but I feel good about where I’m at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Banks, meanwhile, was more cautious with his optimism, but didn\u2019t rule himself out from playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re taking it day by day right now. I’m getting better. Getting better,\u201d Banks said. \u201cIt\u2019ll probably be a game time decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Banks can\u2019t go, rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton would likely start in his place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t think anybody’s\u00a0more frustrated than I am. But to be frustrated and angry all the time doesn’t do any good,\u201d Banks said. \u201cThroughout this whole process, I’ve been doing everything I can to get as many reps as I can and get as healthy as I can, and then just trying to help the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Packers also listed linebacker Ty\u2019Ron Hopper (Achilles\u2019) as questionable while defensive tackle Warren Brinson (calf) was ruled out.<\/p>\n
Left tackle Jordan Morgan, who was limited in practice on Wednesday with a knee issue, practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and was removed from the injury report. He will play.<\/p>\n
The Vikings, meanwhile, do not have a single player on their injury report. Everyone on their 53-man roster is considered healthy enough to play.<\/p>\n
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