There were only two non-participants for the Green Bay Packers during their Wednesday practice: defensive lineman Warren Brinson (calf) and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (Achilles). Brinson’s injury stems from a pre-game issue he had going into Week 2 of the preseason, while Hopper’s injury appears to be a new issue.
Even if Brinson and Hopper both can’t go this week against the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers’ inactive decisions (the team has to scratch five players on its 53-man roster for gamedays) would
be pretty easy. Brinson, Hopper, two offensive linemen and whoever the fourth tight end is will get Green Bay down to a 48-man gameday unit. That seems like the most logical choice at the moment.
The limited participants in practice today were:
- LT Jordan Morgan (knee)
- LG Aaron Banks (knee)
- RT Zach Bako-Bewele (knee)
- DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
- DL Javon Hargrave (knee)
- ED Barryn Sorrell (foot)
The only new injuries in this group appear to be the Morgan and Sorrell injuries. Otherwise, players were already dealing with their current injuries (or recovery from injuries) during training camp.
After practice today, Bak0-Bewele told The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman that he “definitely” plans to play against the Vikings. Had Bako-Bewele not been able to go, Anthony Belton would likely have been his injury replacement.
Before practice, head coach Matt LaFleur stated that both Banks and Bako-Bewele were going to be limited participants, so their status seems to be part of the plan this week. He also stated that if Banks is healthy, he will be the starting left guard. In camp, rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton was rotating in and out of the lineup with Banks, even when Banks was cleared for practice. If Banks can’t dress for the game, assume that Burton will be starting in his place.
The Packers also made a transaction today, as safety Murvion Kenion III was dropped to make room for safety Kahlef Hailassie. Kenion was signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent immediately following the draft and had been part of the team throughout the spring and summer. Hailassie spent a little more than a year at Oregon before transferring to community college and then landing back in the FBS with Western Kentucky.
Hailassie has previously been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings (twice) and Jacksonville Jaguars. Hailassie was just released from the Vikings’ practice squad yesterday, so there’s a chance the Packers might pick his brain about the team’s Week 1 opponent. You’ve got to love gamesmanship.
Hailassie has played a total of 10 NFL games (2023 to 2024), all with the Browns. He played 105 defensive snaps and 110 special teams snaps during the regular season.
In other practice squad news, running back Pierre Strong Jr. was seen working with the rehab group in practice, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. This might help explain why the Packers used a practice squad spot to add a second running back, Damon Bankston, who was previously a pre-draft visitor with Green Bay before signing on as a UDFA with the New York Giants.
