The Green Bay Packers made several roster tweaks ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team made several additions that could impact the lineup as soon as Sunday, while placing several key players on injured reserve.
The Packers placed both right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and wide receiver Jayden Reed on injured reserve, as expected. They also made several intriguing moves to bolster their struggling offensive line.
Here’s a breakdown of the Packers roster moves this week:
10/3 – Placed DT Warren Brinson on injured reserve
9/30 – Signed G Kevin Zeitler to the active roster
Placed WR Jayden Reed on injured reserve
Signed DT David Blay Jr. and WR Coleman Owen to the practice squad
9/28 – Signed G Laken Tomlinson to the active roster from the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad
Signed G Mekhi Becton to the practice squad
Placed OL Zach Bako-Bewele on injured reserve
Released DT Eric Johnson II
Packers Add Three O-Linemen
It’s no secret that the Packers’ offensive line has failed to play anywhere near expectations this season. Why it took until Week 4 to make substantial changes is hard to understand, but better late than never.
Following another poor performance by the line in the Packers’ 35-14 loss to the Falcons in their home opener, enough was enough. This week alone, Green Bay signed veterans Mekhi Becton, Laken Tomlinson, and Kevin Zeitler, looking to breathe new life into the unit.
Becton remains on the Packers practice squad for now, but Tomlinson and Zeitler could find themselves in the lineup on Sunday. Left guard Aaron Banks and right guard Jacob Monk have been ruled out for the Buccaneers game, leaving the door open for both Tomlinson and Zeitler to start.
Between Tomlinson and Zeitler, the two have started a combined 375 NFL games. Their experience and consistency could be a massive upgrade for the Packers, if either has anything left in the tank.
Bad Luck Lands DT Warren Brinson on IR
The Packers placed Brinson on injured reserve Saturday after he suffered a groin injury in practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old missed the first three games of the season with a calf injury, but returned to practice on Wednesday, only to be put back on the shelf for at least the next four games due to a non-contact injury.
Luckily for the Packers, depth at defensive tackle isn’t much of an issue.
