Expect to see Zach Bako-Bewele starting at right tackle when the Green Bay Packers open the 2026 regular season on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bako-Bewele plans to start and play a full game in the season opener on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Bako-Bewele missed the final five games of the 2025 season after partially tearing his patellar tendon, which required surgery in January. He missed the offseason workout program while recovering but eventually returned during training camp, ramping up in terms of conditioning to get ready for Week 1 but never participating fully, even during 11-on-11 sessions.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Bako-Bewele was a limited participant during Wednesday's
practice. He will get a final status designation for Week 1 on Friday afternoon.
Last week, a video of Bako-Bewele talking about his Week 1 status raised some concern, even though he expressed confidence in playing against the Vikings.
“I think the plan was always to be ready Week 1,” Bako-Bewele said, via Silverstein. “I had given an answer a couple of weeks ago where it sounded like I was unsure. But I think it got blown out of proportion. I was referring more to getting in shape, getting back with team, and the rhythm of playing.”
The Packers will practice twice more before heading to Minneapolis this weekend.
Bako-Bewele has received All-Pro votes at right tackle each of the last two seasons. Signed to an $88 million deal in Green Bay, he is one of the NFL's best pass protecting tackles.
With Bako-Bewele expected to start, the only question mark is at left guard, where LaFleur said Aaron Banks is a starter if he's healthy. Banks, the former 49er, has been managing a knee injury during training camp. He is also expected to be listed as a limited participant on the first injury report of the week.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers RT Zach Tom expecting to start in Week 1 vs. Vikings
