The Green Bay Packers are limping home after their Sunday win over the New York Jets, a victory that came at a serious cost. This team is bruised and battered, and now they face a brutal turnaround for “Thursday Night Football” in Week 3. Playing an overtime game on the road, then turning around for a prime-time matchup? That’s a brutal schedule for any squad, let alone one that’s already feeling the effects of a physical Week 2.
The Brutal Blows That Are Sticking
Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele is probably facing the toughest news. He went down with a knee injury on just the third play of scrimmage against the Jets, needed to be carted off with a cast on his right leg, and the team fears it could be a season-ending injury. Seriously, Week 2 and a potential season-ender? That’s rough. It’s likely he’ll hit injured reserve real soon to open up a roster spot. Anthony Belton, a 2025 second-round pick, stepped into that RT spot Sunday and could be the guy for the rest of the season. Talk about stepping into the fire! Then there’s wide receiver Jayden Reed, who suffered a neck injury on the second play from scrimmage and also got carted off on a backboard. The early word is good, with movement in all his extremities, but his return timeline is totally up in the air, and he’s almost certainly out for Thursday night. Skyy Moore and J. Michael Sturdivant got more reps after Reed and Bo Melton went down. And Aaron Banks, their left guard, just got back from knee tendonitis only to exit Sunday’s game with a toe injury. He was ruled out, which means it’s more than just a minor ding. His injury luck in his second year has been brutal, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Thursday.
More Injuries Pile Up Ahead of Thursday Night
The Packers’ injury report is gonna be a novel this week, no doubt. Quarterback Jordan Love took a shot to the elbow in the second half and said he temporarily lost feeling in his throwing hand. We’ve seen him deal with a similar thing in the 2024 regular season finale. To his credit, Love finished the game and even made some big plays late, and he “should be fine” for Thursday night. But if it gets worse, Tyrod Taylor is the backup ready to go. Wide receiver Christian Watson took a massive hit to his right hand/wrist in the fourth quarter. He was clearly in pain heading off the field but he returned and finished the game. No structural damage is suspected, but you know he’ll be feeling that hit all week long. Backup receiver Bo Melton also exited with a stinger and didn’t return, giving more chances to Moore and Sturdivant. And when Banks went out, Donovan Jennings stepped in at left guard, only to leave the game himself with a hand injury and not return. Rookie Jager Burton had to take over after that. Even defensive lineman Anthony Campbell, in his pro debut, limped off with an ankle injury and didn’t return. With Javon Hargrave and Warren Brinson already out, that defensive tackle depth is getting seriously tested. Right guard Jacob Monk and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper also got evaluated for injuries.
The Packers have zero time to lick their wounds. They’re up against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, and they’ll have to find a way to perform while severely shorthanded. It’s gonna be a real test of grit for this battered team.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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