The Green Bay Packers escaped New York with an overtime victory Sunday.
They did not escape healthy.
Green Bay enters Thursday night’s home opener against the Atlanta Falcons with a crowded injury report, headlined by Jayden Reed, Zach Bako-Bewele and Aaron Banks, all of whom were listed as non-participants on the Packers’ latest posted practice report Tuesday.
Because Green Bay is operating on a condensed week, Monday’s participation levels were estimated and Tuesday was a walkthrough. The final Wednesday report will provide the official game designations for Thursday night.
Jayden Reed Remains Sidelined With Neck Injury
Reed suffered the most frightening injury of Green Bay’s Week 2 win over the Jets.
The receiver was taken off the field on a backboard after a hit to the head-and-neck area during Green Bay’s opening possession. Head coach Matt LaFleur said afterward that Reed had movement in all of his extremities, but Reed remained in the New York area overnight for observation.
Green Bay has since listed Reed with a neck injury, and he did not participate in either Monday’s estimated session or Tuesday’s walkthrough.
Given the nature of the injury and the four-day turnaround, his availability against Atlanta is clearly one of the Packers’ biggest questions entering Thursday.
Zach Bako-Bewele’s Knee Is Another Major Concern
One play after Reed went down, Green Bay lost starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele.
Bako-Bewele injured the same knee that required patellar-tendon surgery during the offseason and had to be carted from the field. LaFleur acknowledged after the game that the initial outlook did not look encouraging.
He has not participated at all this week.
If Bako-Bewele cannot play, Anthony Belton is the most obvious replacement after taking over at right tackle against the Jets. Belton himself is now listed with an elbow injury and was limited Tuesday.
That creates an uncomfortable situation for an offensive line preparing on almost no recovery time.
Aaron Banks Hasn’t Practiced Either
Starting left guard Aaron Banks is dealing with both knee and toe injuries and has also been listed as a non-participant on consecutive reports.
Banks entered Week 2 with a knee issue but was ultimately active against New York. The addition of the toe injury makes his status worth monitoring more closely this time.
Green Bay could therefore enter Thursday without multiple starting offensive linemen.
That’s especially significant for Jordan Love, who will be facing an Atlanta defense with very little preparation time available for protection adjustments.
Defensive Line Remains Banged Up
The Packers also have several issues on the defensive front.
Warren Brinson has yet to participate because of a calf injury after already missing the first two games.
Javon Hargrave has been limited with knee and concussion issues after missing Week 2.
Anthony Campbell improved from non-participant Monday to limited Tuesday with an ankle injury.
Hargrave’s status will be especially important.
He was downgraded to out before the Jets game because of the knee/concussion combination and did not travel with the team.
Getting him back would provide a significant reinforcement for a defensive line that has already been forced to rely heavily on its depth.
Edgerrin Cooper Limited
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper has been limited on both reports because of a shoulder injury.
Unlike several players above him on the report, Cooper has at least continued participating in some capacity, giving Green Bay more reason for optimism about his availability Thursday.
Cornerback Brandon Cisse has also been limited, while Donovan Jennings improved from non-participant to limited with a hand injury.
Some Encouraging News
Not everything on the report is negative.
Bo Melton has been a full participant despite a neck issue.
Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, who missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury, has also been a full participant throughout the short week.
His potential return would help stabilize Green Bay’s secondary.
Atlanta Has Injury Issues of Its Own
The Falcons will also enter Thursday without a major defensive starter.
Cornerback A.J. Terrell has been placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Defensive end Samson Ebukam has not participated because of a hamstring issue.
Atlanta has received better news elsewhere.
Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Brian Robinson and Jawaan Taylor were all listed as full participants Tuesday.
So while Green Bay’s injury questions are concentrated around several important offensive pieces, Atlanta appears to be trending healthier at quarterback and along its offense.
Reed and Bako-Bewele are the two names that matter most.
Both injuries looked significant Sunday.
Neither player has participated this week.
And the Packers have essentially no recovery time before playing again.
Banks adds another potentially significant problem because losing two starting offensive linemen at the same time would force Green Bay to reshuffle protection in front of Love.
The Packers showed real resilience after losing Reed and Bako-Bewele on consecutive plays against the Jets.
They may have to show it again Thursday.
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