The Green Bay Packers will be without left guard Aaron Banks in Week 1, but right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele is officially back for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Green Bay is forced to start rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton at left guard. He was impressive all summer long but faces a daunting debut against Brian Flores' defense in Minnesota. Communication will be a major challenge for the new-look offensive line.
The Packers will also miss defensive tackle Warren Brinson and linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper. Below are the full inactive lists for both teams.
Full list of Packers-Vikings inactives for Week 1
Packers inactives
- DL Warren Brinson
- OL Aaron Banks
- LB Ty'Ron Hopper
- OL Travis Glover
- WR J. Michael Sturdivant
- DT Anthony Campbell
Vikings inactives
- RB Demond Claiborne
- CB Zemaiah Vaughn
- S Jakobe Thomas
- C Nick Samac
- T Caleb Tiernan
- DL Elijah Williams
- QB J.J. McCarthy (emergency 3rd QB)
Aaron Banks injury hands rookie Jager Burton a golden opportunity
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Aaron Banks won't play. He's been dealing with an ongoing knee injury and was pushing to return in Week 1. He's not ready yet, which gives Jager Burton a golden opportunity.
The fifth-round rookie was one of the standouts from training camp and spent plenty of time with the first-team offense. This is a huge opportunity for Burton, who could force his way into the Packers' long-term plans at either guard spot with a strong performance.
What does it mean for Banks? His time in Green Bay has been hit hard by injuries, and it's fair to wonder whether the Packers would be better giving him extended time to recover.
Zach Bako-Bewele's return is a huge boost for Packers in Week 1
Bako-Bewele's availability is the big one. He's one of the best right tackles in the NFL and is crucial to the Packers' offense. Per Pro Football Focus, Bako-Bewele allowed zero sacks on 351 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. Green Bay missed him badly after his season-ending knee injury.
The real question is how close he is to 100 percent. Last month, Bako-Bewele predicted he would be ready for Week 1 but admitted he wasn't "quite there" yet, which raised some concerns eight months removed from the injury and only weeks before the season.
But he's good to go, and that's significant against a Brian Flores defense that will send everything at the Packers' starting five linemen.
Packers have the defensive line depth to cover Warren Brinson's absence
Second-year defensive tackle Warren Brinson suffered a calf injury in pregame warmups before the Packers' second preseason contest against the Denver Broncos. It was significant enough that Brinson still hasn't returned to practice, and he'll miss this afternoon's game.
The good news is that Green Bay kept seven defensive tackles on the 53-man roster, giving defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon more than enough depth.
That includes former Viking Javon Hargrave, who will make his Packers debut on Sunday. Devonte Wyatt is back from a broken fibula and torn ankle ligaments that ended his 2025 season on Thanksgiving, and he'll have some extra help from third-round pick Chris McClellan.
The Packers have plenty of concerns this week, mostly along the offensive line, but the play at defensive tackle shouldn't be among them.
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