The NFL is a brutal business, and Green Bay just got hit hard with the news that right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele is on injured reserve, forcing them to make some serious moves. This isn’t just a tough break for Bako-Bewele; it is a stark reminder of how quickly teams have to adapt, and how the grind of the regular season can force some wild roster changes, including pulling a familiar face with deep Seattle roots back into the spotlight.
The Brutal Reality of the Offensive Line
Bako-Bewele’s injury is absolutely devastating. He tore his patellar tendon on just the third play from scrimmage in Week 2 against the Jets. Think about that, man, third play! He underwent surgery on Thursday and is now looking at a recovery timeline of 8-10 months. That’s a huge, season-ending blow to Green Bay’s offensive line depth right when the season is just starting to heat up. When a starting tackle goes down like that, especially with such a long recovery, teams scramble, and they need experienced bodies, fast. It shows you the sheer violence and physical toll of every snap in this league.
A Blast from the Seahawks Past Joins the Fray
To try and patch up that gaping hole, the Packers made some quick moves. They just signed veteran offensive guard Laken Tomlinson from the Cowboys’ practice squad. Now, if that name sounds familiar to you, Seattle, it should. Tomlinson previously started a whopping 155 games in his career, and yep, a good chunk of that was for our very own Seahawks, along with stints with the Jets, 49ers, and Lions. How wild is that? The man’s a true journeyman, a battle-tested pro who knows what it means to be in the trenches. He hasn’t played a snap for Dallas this season, but he did get in 10 games and made seven starts for the Texans last season. It’s a quick turnaround from the practice squad to potentially protecting a quarterback in a crucial Week 3, but that’s the kind of experience you can’t fake.
Another Vet with a Super Bowl Ring Steps Up
But wait, there’s more. The Packers also scooped up veteran offensive guard Mekhi Becton for their practice squad, taking the roster spot of defensive tackle Eric Johnson II, who they waived. Becton’s another interesting story. He was a 2020 Jets first-round pick who initially struggled with injuries early in his career. The Chargers signed him to a two-year deal in the 2025 offseason, but then released him in March. Still, he played in 15 regular-season games at right guard for the Chargers last season, and even started their playoff loss to the Patriots. And get this: the dude was a starter with the Eagles in 2024 and won a Super Bowl ring. So, while Bako-Bewele’s injury is a gut punch, the Packers are trying to shore things up with some serious veteran talent, even if it means picking guys up off practice squads and signing those who’ve been around the block, including a familiar face from our Seahawks’ history.
It just goes to show you, the NFL never stops. One play can change everything for a player and a team’s needs. The Packers are now leaning on veteran leadership, bringing in a guy like Tomlinson, who we all remember from his 155 starts with the Hawks, to step up immediately. It is a harsh lesson in depth and the relentless nature of this game, and we’ll be watching to see how these seasoned linemen adapt to their new challenge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply