Packers Offer ‘Limited’ Update on Injured Zach Tom, Aaron Banks

One of the difficulties of figuring out just where the Packers are after playing four weeks and getting through their very early bye week is that we have only seen the offensive line play together in spurts. Stalwart tackle Zach Tom has been struggling with an oblique injury in Week 1 that caused him to miss Week 2. Then when he came back in Week 3 vs. the Browns, he lasted one snap before he had to duck out again.

And Aaron Banks is the other major concern for the Packers. He suffered a groin injury after Week 1, also missed Week 2, came back for Week 3 but was re-injured and missed Week 4.

Throw in a quad injury to left tackle Rasheed Walker and an ankle injury for his backup, Anthony Belton, and the Packers line has been battered. Coming out of the bye week there is at least some marginally good news for the team.

Zach Tom ‘Doing Well’ Coming Out of Bye

Speaking about Tom, arguably the Packers’ best offensive lineman, coach Matt LaFleur said, “He’s doing well right now. He’ll be limited.” And that’s the best the team can offer with the injury situation–limited, but hopeful.

Tom was, indeed, limited in practice on Wednesday, but he did participate according to the team’s report. Banks, too, did participate, though he was also limited.

Walker and his quad were limited, but backup Belton was not. He did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and, worse, when asked whether he was close to coming back, LaFleur simply said, “No.”

Packers Will Face Bengals in Week 6

The 2-1-1 Packers will try to pull themselves together after a wild first quarter of the season in which they beat two conference heavyweights–the Lions and Commanders–but then stumbled against the Browns, giving Cleveland its only win of the year, and emerged with an unsatisfying tie against Dallas in Week 4.

The struggling Bengals, who traded for former Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (the guy who beat Green Bay in Week 3), are on the docket at Lambeau this week.

The offensive line will be key to that. The injuries have taken their toll. The Packers line was rated No. 8 by Pro Football Focus after Week 1, and fell to No. 9 after Week 2. It was a unit that appeared to be a strength of the team.

Packers Line Rated No. 18 After Week 5

But Weeks 3 and 4, marred by injuries, saw them plummet in the rankings. The Packers are down to No. 18 in the league, a below-average group. Veteran Elgton Jenkins, who declared that he “played like (expletive)” to open the year as he has moved from guard to center, was tabbed the team’s best lineman.

PFF wrote of the bunch: “Green Bay’s offensive line has surrendered 49 pressures — including seven sacks — on 135 pass plays this season. The unit’s 79.3 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating ranks only 31st in the league.”

Cam Bynum just stirred the pot with unintentional shot at Vikings

It almost feels like former Minnesota Vikings safety and current Indianapolis Colts Cam Bynum is suffering from having a short memory after his latest comments.

Bynum recently appeared on the "Downs 2 Business" show, where he discussed the Colts after the team had gotten off to an impressive 4-1 start. He has high praise for his defense, going so far as to say this ranks among the top defenses he's been a part of.

“We got cold corners, cold pass rush, every single receiver, every single one of y’all is cold. So it’s just the most complete team I’ve ever been a part of.”

Bynum has been off to a solid start in his first year with the Colts after signing a four-year, $60 million contract with them in the offseason. He's racked up 21 tackles, three pass deflections, and two interceptions in five games. Bynum has a 

PFF overall grade of 73.7, ranking 32nd out of 134 safeties that qualify.

Vikings have slight advantage on the Colts with defenses in 2025

Major credit to the Colts for doing a splendid job rebuilding their roster and turning the team around. They have been playing at a high level and look to be playoff contenders, but the Vikings still have the advantage over them this season.

With NFL rankings of total defense, the Vikings are ranked sixth, allowing 289.8 yards per game, while the Colts are at 14, allowing 315 yards per game. Minnesota is ranked high in passing yards allowed per game, as well, but Indianapolis has the Vikings beat in rushing yards allowed per game. Both teams are within two points per game of each other.

Bynum had some great seasons with the Vikings, partnering with Harrison Smith in the secondary at safety, as they helped that defense achieve multiple playoff appearances. 2023 was his best season with Minnesota as he had 137 tackles, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

He has seen good defenses, and some of the Vikings' defenses he was part of were stellar, ranking in the top 16 under Brian Flores. Comparing those Minnesota defenses to this 2025 Colts defense is close, but no cigar, as the Vikings have the advantage.

Now, in Bynum's defense, he has to praise his team publicly, but all Vikings fans know that when he was at safety in Minnesota, those were better defenses than the one he is currently a part of.

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