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Packers’ offensive line becomes Thursday night’s crucial matchup against Falcons
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- Packers’ offensive line becomes Thursday night’s crucial matchup against Falcons
Packers' offensive line becomes Thursday night's crucial matchup against Falcons originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Packers ' Thursday night home opener against Atlanta has a clear question before the first snap: how well can Green Bay protect Jordan Love with its offensive line still adjusting?
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Starting guard Aaron Banks is out with knee and toe injuries. Tackle Zach Bako-Bewele has also been ruled out with a knee injury. The Packers ' final injury report lists receiver Jayden Reed and defensive tackle Warren Brinson out as well.
The Falcons visit Lambeau Field at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Green Bay's lineup up front will be worth watching from the opening drive.
The replacements got a trial run Sunday
Banks left the Packers' game against the Jets in the second quarter and did not return. Donovan Jennings initially replaced him but later exited with a hand injury. Jennings has no game-status designation for Thursday, indicating he is available.
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Anthony Belton replaced Bako-Bewele against New York. Belton appeared on this week's report with an elbow injury, but Green Bay upgraded him to full participation Wednesday and did not assign him a game designation.
That is better news than entering Thursday with two replacement jobs and no players who had just worked through them. It does not erase the challenge of building continuity on a short week.
Love will need clean communication with the group in front of him, especially when Atlanta changes its rush look. The issue is not only whether Green Bay gives up sacks. Pressure can alter a throw, close an opening for a running back or force the offense into an unfavorable third down.
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Injuries affect both sides of Green Bay's front
Defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Anthony Campbell are questionable. Hargrave is listed with knee and concussion issues; Campbell has an ankle injury. Their availability will shape Green Bay's defensive rotation against Atlanta.
For the Packers, Thursday is an early test of adaptability. A short week gives coaches little time to rebuild a plan around injuries. It gives the players stepping in a chance to show that last Sunday's disruptions did not have to become this Thursday's defining story.
The most revealing matchup might not be a star receiver against a cornerback. It might be the first few snaps in front of Love.
