Jordan Morgan, who was limited with a knee issue on Wednesday, was upgraded to a full participant by Thursday. This development is significant for a unproven left tackle position that Green Bay has been aiming to stabilize throughout the offseason. Morgan is slated to start at left tackle, a role the Packers have been grooming him for since drafting him 25th overall in 2024. He arrived in Green Bay with substantial left tackle experience, having started 37 games at that spot in college. Over his first two NFL seasons, Morgan has shown versatility, starting 13 games across four different positions on the line, including 12 starts in the 2025 season. His move to full participation signals a potential hand-in-glove partnership with quarterback Jordan Love on the blind side, a combination the Packers have prioritized as they rebuild the line.
Aaron Banks, the veteran left guard who signed a four-year, $77 million contract with Green Bay in March 2025, did not receive the same immediate upgrade in practice but remains a critical piece of the line’s stability. Banks has battled knee tendinitis and carried some workload restrictions into training camp this summer. He returned to contact and 11-on-11 drills in August after managing his knee issues, and his latest status—described as “without any setback” after back-to-back limited sessions—offers a more hopeful outlook for Week 1. Banks’ continued health is essential as Green Bay tries to lock down a cohesive left side to protect Love and open running lanes.
The projected Week 1 starting lineup on the offensive line has Morgan at left tackle and Banks at left guard, with Sean Rhyan at center and Jacob Monk at right guard. Right tackle Bako-Bewele also faced knee issues during the week, leaving the group with multiple injury considerations. While Morgan’s full practice participation and Banks’ improved status are positives, the team still faced questions as Friday’s designations would determine the final game-day inactive list.
Historically, Morgan and Banks have been central to Green Bay’s efforts to stabilize the line after a season with notable pass protection concerns. Morgan’s transition to the blind side aligns with the team’s long-term plan for the unit, leveraging his college-position experience to anchor the edge. Banks’ presence adds an experienced run blocker and pass-protection veteran to a line that has sought consistency.
The Packers’ Week 1 depth chart reflected continuing evaluation, with Green Bay listing Morgan as the starting left tackle and Banks as the left guard, while Rhyan and Monk filled the interior spots. The line’s health will be a focal point as the team approaches game day, with Friday’s practice and final injury designations expected to finalize the Week 1 configuration.
In a season with multiple uncertainties on the right side and inside the line, Morgan’s progress toward full participation and Banks’ steady return to form offer meaningful reassurance. If both players can remain on the field and avoid setbacks, Green Bay’s protection schemes could gain stability, allowing Love to develop chemistry in the pocket and the run game to gain momentum behind a more cohesive front five.
Overall, the Week 1 outlook for Green Bay’s offensive line hinges on the Friday updates and final game-day designations. Morgan’s full participation and Banks’ return to healthy practice are welcome developments that could ease some of the early-season concerns about the unit’s ability to protect the quarterback and establish a reliable rushing attack. As the Packers prepare to face the Vikings, the left side’s health and performance will be a critical determinant of their offensive efficiency in the opening contest.
