Packers guard Aaron Banks says he’s playing vs. the Browns; tackle Zach Tom still unsure
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GREEN BAY - The Green Bay Packers could be getting back at least one of their starting offensive linemen for Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.
Zach Tom (oblique) and Aaron Banks (groin/ankle) suffered injuries in the season opener against the Detroit Lions forcing them to miss Week 2 against the Washington Commanders.
Rookie Anthony Belton and veteran Darian Kinnard shared reps at right tackle in place of Tom. Jordan Morgan took over at left guard for Banks.
Banks was listed as a limited participant on the Packers’ Sept. 17 injury report, but he told reporters he was a “full go” at practice. He said he likely would’ve played in the Week 2 game, but due to the short turnaround of two games in five days, the medical staff felt he needed to sit.
He confirmed he is playing against the Browns on Sunday, Sept. 21.
“It was honestly frustrating. I started to kind of turn the corner (Sept. 11) and it wasn’t fully there. I was confident if I had two, three more days I would’ve been good to go,” Banks said. “Just wanted to be smart and I think they could see in the work we did (last week) I wasn’t fully able to move 100%.”
As of now, Tom didn’t want to divulge his game status, but he was back on the field for practice in a limited capacity.
“I’ve never felt like this,” Tom said of the oblique injury. “I’m never had nothing in that area.”
He said the tear in his oblique didn’t require surgery, but it does involve pain.
“It’s kind of hard to run, that’s the main thing,” he said. “I feel like moving side-to-side, I’m good, but anything that involves me trying to get out and open up, then I can feel it a little bit. We’ve just got to work through it.”
If Tom isn’t ready to go, the Packers could once again look at Belton and Kinnard. While it’s never ideal for players to deal with injuries, it has allowed for backups to gain early experience and build depth on the offensive line.
“It’s obviously good to get those guys reps, especially (Belton),” Tom said. “Like I said, he has a lot of stuff to clean up, but he has the potential to be a really good player. It’s obviously good to get more guys reps and then win the game.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers could be getting at least one lineman back for Browns game
