The Green Bay Packers expect right quarterback Zach Tom to return to practice next week. Coach Matt LaFleur said Tom, who missed the team’s practice to start training camp as he recovers from a pectoral injury, will return for Tuesday’s 11-on-11 practice and other live periods.
“That’s the plan. He looked great,” LaFleur said Saturday night.
The Packers will practice on Tuesday and Wednesday next week and will face the Cleveland Browns in their season opener on Saturday.
Tom started all 17 games at right guard and was one of the top newborn pass rushers in the NFL last season. The Packers will welcome his return; the backups at right guard — including Kadeem Telfort, Andre Dillard and Caleb Jones — have struggled to protect the quarterback through the first two weeks of training camp, including Saturday’s Family Night practice.
“The offensive line has a tough job right now,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur said the Packers defense has been frustrated at times because the offense has been forced to employ chippers on edge rushers. That could change with Tom returning to 11-on-11 play.
Tom’s return will also give the Packers a chance to start their top five offensive linemen working together. The preferred starters could be Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, first-round pick Jordan Morgan and Tom, from left to right.
His return on Tuesday will give Tom a full month of work on the field before the Packers travel to Brazil to play the Philadelphia Eagles in their season opener.
LaFleur said the Packers also expect tight end Tucker Kraft to come off the PUP list and begin practicing next week. Both Tom and Kraft suffered pectoral injuries in the offseason.
