While other teams have had it far worse as far as injuries are concerned (we’re looking at you, San Francisco 49ers), the Green Bay Packers haven’t been at full strength since the second this 2025 season began, as wide receiver Christian Watson began the campaign on the PUP list as he continued to recover from the torn ACL he suffered in last year’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears.
The wide receiver room took another hit in Week 2 when Jayden Reed went down with a broken collarbone. He also had a pre-existing Jones fracture in his left foot, which was addressed during the same surgery in which his collarbone was repaired.
The Packers have also been down a couple of starting offensive linemen and a key backup in recent weeks. Star right tackle Zach Tom has played just one snap since Week 1 with an oblique injury, that coming against the Browns in Week 3, and starting left guard Aaron Banks has played just one half in that same stretch, also against Cleveland, with ankle and groin issues. Anthony Belton also sat out this past Sunday’s 40-40 tie with the Cowboys with an ankle injury.
And those absences have been noticeable, as Jordan Love has taken eight sacks over the last three weeks after taking none in Green Bay’s season opener against the Detroit Lions. The Packers’ rushing attack has suffered as well.
All that said, however, good news appears to be on the horizon. While nothing can be done about Reed at the moment, as he’s expected to be out of action until mid-November. As for the other four mentioned above, however, the Packers could very well see all four return following their upcoming bye in Week 5.
The Packers could see several starters return for their Week 6 battle with the Bengals
The least likely to suit up against Cincinnati is Watson, but there is an outside chance, as Packers head coach Matt LaFleur revealed on Tuesday that there have been discussions about opening his practice window next Monday when Green Bay returns to practice.
Watson has previously stated that his goal was to return to practice following the bye, and if that happens, the Packers will then have 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster. So, even if he doesn’t take the field in Week 6, the latest he’d back would be in Week 8 when Green Bay visits Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Either way, getting Watson back in the mix is great news.
As for the trio of offensive linemen, LaFleur also mentioned on Tuesday that Green Bay has released Brant Banks from the 53-man roster, which now gives the team two open slots on the 53-man roster. Banks was brought up from the practice squad ahead of the matchup with the Cowboys, which clearly signaled that at least Tom would be out. With Banks and Belton out against Dallas as well, the Packers also promoted Lecitus Smith just to ensure they had eight linemen against America’s Team, thus giving themselves a 48th gameday roster spot.
By letting Brant Banks go nearly two weeks before their next game, the Packers have basically guaranteed that at least two of the three of Tom, Aaron Banks, and Belton will be back to practice next week.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but these are all positive developments, and we’ll continue to monitor the moves during the bye week as they happen.
