Starting left guard Aaron Banks returns to the Green Bay Packers' starting lineup after recovering from ankle and groin injuries. It's a welcome boost as the Packers visit the league's top-ranked defense led by all-world defensive end Myles Garrett.
It frees up Jordan Morgan, who filled in at left guard last week, but will the Packers use Morgan to cover at right tackle if Zach Tom is unable to go?
Tom returned to practice this week but is officially questionable for Sunday's game. He admitted earlier in the week that he still has pain while running as his oblique was "torn away a little bit." It's not a significant injury, but the smart move is likely to give Tom an additional week of rest, and possibly even until the Week 5 bye.
Packers may have a tough decision to make with Jordan Morgan with matchup against Myles Garrett awaiting
If Tom doesn't play, who will the Packers start at right tackle?
Darrian Kinnard came off the bench in Week 1 and played admirably, but the Packers gave second-round rookie Anthony Belton the bulk of the snaps in last week's win over the Washington Commanders.
Per Pro Football Focus, Kinnard has allowed only one pressure, but his 53.7 pass-blocking grade is the Packers' second-worst. Only Josh Jacobs has a lower grade. Belton has yet to allow a pressure, although he did have one penalty.
But then there is Morgan. Most of his work has come at left tackle, his college position, and guard, since entering the league a year ago. While he hasn't spent much time at right tackle, Morgan is the most experienced of the three candidates to start.
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The Packers' 2024 first-round pick has allowed three pressures this season but no hits. His PFF 72.0 pass-blocking grade is tied with Tom for the best among Packers offensive linemen through two weeks. However, Morgan has struggled in the run game, which isn't ideal against a Browns defense allowing a league-low 45.5 rushing yards per contest.
Another factor is that Morgan hasn't logged a regular-season snap at tackle in the NFL. His work has come exclusively at the two guard positions. He did, however, play the bulk of his preseason snaps at left tackle this summer.
The Packers have options, but they have a tough decision to make with Myles Garrett looking to create chaos.
Can Green Bay trust Kinnard? While he has held up well when needed, his inconsistency in pass protection is a concern against a future Hall of Fame pass-rusher who has 3.5 sacks in two games. That's a mismatch.
Belton didn't allow a pressure at right tackle last week and has shown some talent in the run game, but this is only his third NFL contest.
Morgan offers the most experience and is the best pass protector of the three. Green Bay may feel better about his ability to slow down Garrett (if that's even possible). But it would require a shift to right tackle, where he hasn't played in the NFL, and his run-blocking concerns could become an issue against Garrett, who is also an outstanding run defender.
Maybe Tom is healthy and takes the decision out of Matt LaFleur's hands, but if the Packers' star right tackle is unavailable, which direction will the Packers take?
It all hinges on Morgan. Does LaFleur have confidence in his ability to shift to an unfamiliar position against Garrett and an elite Cleveland defense?