Javon

Hargrave

It was reported after Sunday’s game that the Packers believed Hargrave suffered a torn Achilles, so this news doesn’t come as a surprise. The 33-year-old lineman will now miss the remainder of the season and look to rehab in hopes of being back in time for training camp next season. Hargrave signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Packers this offseason and has totaled six tackles in four games played.

He was injured in Week 5’s win over the Bears. Hargrave has one year remaining on his contract. He faces a tough recovery late in his career. This is the second Achilles tendon rupture for the Packers’ defense in as many weeks, with LB Edgerrin Cooper suffering the same injury in Week 4 against the Buccaneers. Hargrave will ultimately require surgery and be placed on injured reserve.

It’s a mercifully quiet injury day for the Packers in this grudge match. Inactive for the Pack are OL Jacob Monk, OG Aaron Banks, OL Donovan Jennings and DT Anthony Campbell.

Reed may not return in 2026, and Bako-Bewele suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Packers will also be without Banks, their starting left guard, though the Falcons are without both starting edge rushers right now due to suspension and injury. Packers DT Javon Hargrave (knee/concussion) is active.

That means that starting left guard Aaron Banks (knee) will be back on the field after missing Week 1 against the Vikings. In a game that figures to be played in constant rain, having a fully healthy offensive line will be a nice boost for Marshawn Lloyd and the Packers’ offense. Javon Hargrave (concussion) remains out for Week 2.

The deal includes $13 million in 2026, potentially giving Green Bay an early out if the 10-year veteran starts showing signs of aging following his age-33 season. The former two-time Pro Bowler played the 2025 season with the Vikings, registering only 3.5 sacks and 52 tackles in 16 appearances. He did prove healthy last year after playing only three games for the 49ers in 2024 and brings another capable body up front for the retooled Packers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported that the Vikings would try to trade Hargrave before cutting. No takers were found and now Hargrave will be a free agent. Hargrave signed a two-year, $30 million contract with the Vikings amid their spending spree last offseaosn. He amassed 3.5 sacks and wasn’t particularly effective against the run, according to Pro Football Focus. Now a veteran of 10 years, Hargrave should be able to find a new home rather quickly.

The Vikings have a lot of cap space to create and this was always the likely move based on that calculus. Jones probably won’t attract much interest on the trade market as he enters his age-32 season and has started to leave a concerning number of games with injuries, in addition to being placed on IR for a short stint early in the 2025 season. He’d likely only have head-of-committee ceiling heading into the 2026 offseason. Schefter added that the same trade-or-release ultimatum exists for DT Javon Hargrave.

This is usually the first step towards a release, and The Athletic’s Alec Lewis called Hargrave’s release “a predictable offseason move” in December. Hargrave simply didn’t live up to expectations last year. Entering his age-33 season, we’d be surprised if the Vikings got anything more than a late-round swap for Hargrave.

Hargrave can be cut for $11 million in cap savings. The veteran has been solid-but-unspectacular and turns 33 this offseason. He’d probably have a real market as a veteran plugger somewhere, but Hargrave has been a so-so run defender since leaving the Steelers and likely won’t command the same kind of salary in 2026 as he did last year.