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With Zach Bako-Bewele Out For the Season, What’s the Packers’ Plan at RT?
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- With Zach Bako-Bewele Out For the Season, What’s the Packers’ Plan at RT?
When Green Bay Packers starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele left Sunday's win over the New York Jets on a cart with an air cast on his right leg, things didn't look good. On Tuesday, he confirmed the worst, announcing he'd suffered a complete tear of his patellar tendon, ending his season.
Bako-Bewele suffered a partial patellar tendon tear in the same knee in Week 15 last season, ending his year prematurely. This time around, he told reporters that he " knew something was wrong ."
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"It's definitely not what I anticipated happening," Bako-Bewele said. "Just got to get back to work and think about next year."
Now, the Packers must move on without Bako-Bewele for the remainder of the season. Anthony Belton will start in his place, but his status for Thursday is now uncertain.
Belton was a new addition to the Packers' injury report on Tuesday. Green Bay had a walkthrough but did not practice; however, he was listed as a limited participant with an elbow injury.
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In Week 2, Belton played 56 snaps in place of Bako-Bewele, with limited success. He allowed three pressures, three hurries, and committed two penalties (one was declined).
Meanwhile, he finished with a 60.5 pass-blocking grade and a 51.3 run-blocking grade , per Pro Football Focus. Only center Sean Rhyan had lower marks (56.9, 51.2) among the Packers' linemen who played 50 or more snaps.
Packers Have More Issues at O-Line
If losing Bako-Bewele wasn't enough, the hits keep on coming for the Packers' offensive line. Starting left guard Aaron Banks did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough, listed as "Did Not Participate" with knee and toe injuries.
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If Banks can't go, rookie Jager Burton is in line to start on Thursday. Burton played 23 snaps in Week 2 and didn't allow a pressure, earning a 61.2 pass-blocking grade and a 50.9 run-blocking grade.
Whichever way you slice it, the Packers are likely to be down at least two starting offensive linemen on a short week. For a unit that's already disappointed, the latest developments don't bode well for quarterback Jordan Love and the rest of the offense.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
