Zach

Tom

The estimated recovery time on the surgery is six months, which would put Tom as likely to be ready for training camp. Tom played 604 snaps and was one of Green Bay’s best offensive linemen, with an 83.5 PFF grade between a couple of major injuries. His status is worth monitoring, but for now we’re assuming he’ll be ready for camp.

Tom is the only one of Green Bay’s questionable players that will sit, which means Malik Willis (hamstring/shoulder) is active as Jordan Love’s backup. Also inactive for Green Bay are: WR Dontayvion Wicks, QB Desmond Ridder, CB Jaylin Simpson, DL Collin Oliver and WR Jakobie Keeney-James.

Tom did not play at all after leaving Week 15’s game against the Broncos and was given Friday off. At this point it seems likely that they are managing his injuries to try to get whatever they can out of him here. He’s a re-injury risk on Saturday, but the Packers have to let Tom play through it if he can. He’s simply too much of an upgrade for them.

Watson practiced fully on Tuesday and Wednesday before being downgraded with an illness on Friday. Fortunately, the Packers’ No. 1 wide receiver is good to go. Both the Packers (9-5-1) and Bears (11-4) have secured playoff spots, though the exact seeding has not yet been determined. The Packers declared QB Jordan Love, DL Collin Oliver, OL Zach Tom, WR Savion Williams, DL Nazir Stackhouse and DL Barryn Sorrell inactive for Week 17 against the Ravens. Packers S Evan Williams (knee) is active. As expected, QB Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) gets the start.

Both Watson and Josh Jacobs will be active for the pivotal division showdown against the Bears. Watson should be considered a WR3 for the contest. The Packers inactives for the Saturday showdown will be S Evan Williams, RT Zach Tom, DL Quinton Bohanna, TE Josh Whyle and DL Nazir Stackhouse.

Tom suffered a knee injury in Week 15 against the Broncos, but seems to have avoided a major absence. Still, the Packers’ right tackle begins the week with a DNP designation. Practicing later in the week will give him a better chance to play Saturday against the Bears.

OL Zach Tom joins him there. Wicks got in three limited sessions and seems likely to give it a go after being pulled from Week 6’s game against the Bengals with the injury. Tom went DNP-limited-limited and is probably more of a true question mark with an oblique injury that has sidelined him for most of the season.

The Packers signed K Lucas Havrisik on Saturday, with McManus nursing a quad injury. Havrisik will kick in McManus’ stead. Green Bay received great news regarding the offensive line’s health. LT Rasheed Walker (quad), LG Aaron Banks (groin/knee), RT Zach Tom (oblique/back) and backup OG/C Jacob Monk are all active this week. The talented unit should keep QB Jordan Love upright against the Bengals. Starting CB Nate Hobbs (concussion) is not on the inactives list, indicating he successfully passed the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Packers LG Aaron Banks (groin/knee), RT Zach Tom (oblique/back), backup OG/C Jacob Monk (hamstring) and CB Nate Hobbs (concussion) are questionable. On the plus side, backup LT Jordan Morgan (knee) will be active. Packers backup OT Anthony Belton (ankle) is out. The Packers are 2-1-1 despite the lengthy offensive line injury list. If the unit can get healthy later this year, this team will be a force to be reckoned with.

We don’t know the capacity in which Tom practiced, but after two weeks off, it’s possible Tom could be in line to return for Week 6 against the Bengals. The Packers don’t need to release an official injury report until Wednesday, but his return following a Week 5 bye is a good sign to start the week.