GREEN BAY, Wis. — On the heels of Sunday’s devastating loss, the Green Bay Packers don’t have time to lick their wounds. They returned to the practice field on Wednesday in preparation for this week’s out-of-conference clash with the New York Jets.
Thankfully, the loss to the Minnesota Vikings—a game in which the Packers surrendered an unanswered run of 29 points, including a 22-point fourth quarter—wasn’t compounded by any major injuries, aside from the typical bumps and bruises after such a physical bout. There is some concern with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and edge defender Lukas Van Ness, who are currently in the concussion protocol.
Both players presumably experienced concussion-like symptoms by the time they returned to the facility on Monday. They were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice; it’s an encouraging sign that they weren’t held out entirely, but the Packers are going to proceed with caution whenever the head is involved. Hargrave is also still dealing with the same knee issue he was listed with last week, but the Packers are managing that.
As was the case last week, defensive tackle Warren Brinson was the lone non-participant on Wednesday.
Brinson missed each of the Packers’ final two preseason games with a calf injury that has now dragged into the regular season. The injury wasn’t deemed severe enough to land him on injured reserve, but he’s on pace to now miss consecutive games to begin the year.
A noteworthy development in Wednesday’s session was Aaron Banks’ participation, which head coach Matt LaFleur conveyed before the start of practice. That doesn’t bode positively or negatively for his chances of playing Sunday against the Jets, considering he practiced—albeit in a limited capacity—on all three days last week and was still inactive in Minnesota.
“We’re trying to get him ramped up and ready to go again, but again, that’s a process we’ll take through the week,” LaFleur said.
As has been the case, Banks’ situation is going to be worth monitoring—not just for this week, but likely for the duration of the season. The 29-year-old starter at left guard has been battling knee tendinitis and spent training camp operating on a day-on, day-off schedule. He has his good days, but much to the Packers’ chagrin, he has his bad days, too. The Packers started Donovan Jennings at left guard in his place on Sunday against the Vikings, and, predictably, his audition wasn’t a smooth one.
In fact, the tandem of Jennings and Jacob Monk at right guard underperformed to such an extent that the Packers’ coaching staff is spending the week reconfiguring the makeup of their offensive line. Rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton and Anthony Belton, last year’s starting right guard, are both firmly in the competition.
Here’s the full practice report to begin the week.
Full Participation
CB Brandon Cisse (Cramps)
Limited Participation
OL Zach Bako-Bewele (Knee)
OG Aaron Banks (Knee)
DT Javon Hargrave (Knee/Concussion)
LB Ty’Ron Hopper (Achilles)
EDGE Barryn Sorell (Foot)
EDGE Lukas Van Ness (Concussion)
DT Devonte Wyatt (Ankle)
Did Not Participate
DT Warren Brinson (Calf)
Zachary Jacobson is the author of The Packer Dispatch. He is entering his 12th season covering the Green Bay Packers after spending seven as the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter @zachjacobson or contact him via email at itszachariahj@gmail.com.