Packers coach Matt LaFleur vague on Aaron Banks, Zach Bako-Bewele status

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers didn't have the luxury to fully practice with their starting offensive line this offseason. Aaron Banks (knee) and Zach Bako-Bewele (knee) missed practice time recovering from injuries. As the Packers open the 2026 season on the road against their NFC North-rival Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 13, coach Matt LaFleur said "we'll see" about the game status for two of his veteran offensive linemen. The team has had to move some players around during camp. Anthony Belton has filled in at right tackle in place of Bako-Bewele. Jacob Monk has been at right guard, while rookie Jager Burton has played a lot of reps at left guard. "It's hard to build continuity if you don't have five guys out there, but it is what it is," LaFleur said. "We're not the only team faced with those circumstances, and you've got to try and make the best of it." Here are other takeaways from LaFleur's Sept. 7 news conference: Matt LaFleur prepared for the unknowns of Week 1 LaFleur said there's a "significant chunk" of the game plan already in place heading into the Week 1 matchup. While there's still a level of unknown heading into the first game, the Packers spent last week working on the plan, plus LaFleur said the team was able to spend some time in the offseason to gain some familiarity with their opponent. "I think the early part of the season is always a big challenge," LaFleur said. "Hopefully we've done a good enough job in presenting our team, whether it's offense, defense or special teams, with a bunch of different looks to get them prepared for that moment." Packers announce team captains for 2026 The Packers announced five team captains for the 2026 season. Quarterback Jordan Love, linebacker Zaire Franklin, tight end Tucker Kraft, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and safety Xavier McKinney were named captains. LaFleur confirmed the team elected to have season-long captains this year. Last year was the first time since 2022 the Packers named season-long captains with C's on their jerseys. Love, Kraft, McKinney, McDuffie, Josh Jacobs, Rashan Gary and Quay Walker were last year's captains. Packers add two players to the practice squad The Packers added two players to their practice squad last week, including one through the International Player Pathway program. Lenny Krieg, a first-year kicker from Berlin, Germany, rejoined the Packers after a short stint at the start of training camp. He spent last season on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Scott Daly is a sixth-year long snapper who has spent time with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Matt LaFleur impressed with turnout for Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame The Packers weren't the first team to open the football season on Lambeau Field in 2026. Wisconsin and Notre Dame clashed Sept. 6 in a historic college football game. The Fighting Irish won by 28 points. While LaFleur was impressed with the environment, he said he couldn't help but wonder how the field is doing. "It was pretty cool, I just didn't love all the wear and tear on the field, but it is what it is," he said with a laugh. "I'm sure [Packers field manager] Allen [Johnson] is out there right now getting it in tip-top shape." This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers coach Matt LaFleur vague on Aaron Banks, Zach Bako-Bewele status