Brinson placed on IR after groin injury compounds calf issue

Key points

• Warren Brinson was placed on injured reserve on October 3 after a groin injury sustained during Wednesday's practice, adding to a calf injury from August.
• Matt LaFleur stated Brinson will miss a 'significant amount of time' but emphasized the defensive line is 'oversigned' with seven players on the 53-man roster.
• The Packers ruled out guards Aaron Banks (knee/toe) and Jacob Monk (quadricep) for the Week 4 game against the Buccaneers.
• Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper cleared the NFL concussion protocol and was removed from the injury report on October 3.
• Anthony Campbell (ankle) was ruled out for the game, while Jager Burton (groin) remains questionable.

Background

Brinson, a 2025 sixth-round pick, had not played in a regular-season game this season due to a calf injury sustained in pre-game warmups before the Week 2 preseason match against the Denver Broncos. The Packers had previously ruled him out for the Week 2 game against the New York Jets. The team has been managing a significant number of injuries on both the offensive and defensive lines, including recent issues with guards Banks and Monk, leading to the signing of veteran guards Kevin Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson.

How outlets are covering it

Acme Packing Company and Packers.com both confirm Brinson's placement on IR and LaFleur's comments regarding the team's depth. CBS Sports focuses specifically on Anthony Campbell's absence due to an ankle injury sustained in Week 2. PackersNews.com provides a detailed breakdown of the October 1 practice session, noting that four players were absent, including Brinson, Banks, Campbell, and Monk. All sources agree on the core injury statuses but differ in emphasis: Acme and Packers.com highlight the broader roster implications and LaFleur's confidence in the current plan, while CBS Sports isolates the fantasy football impact of Campbell's absence. PackersNews.com offers the most granular detail on the practice participation of the injured players.

Why it matters

The loss of Brinson, combined with the absences of Campbell and other linemen, tests the Packers' depth on the defensive line ahead of a critical Week 4 matchup. While LaFleur asserts the team is 'oversigned,' the accumulation of injuries on the offensive line, including the rulings out of Banks and Monk, forces the team to rely on recent signings like Zeitler and Tomlinson. This situation highlights the fragility of the roster's health early in the season and the importance of the practice squad, with players like David Blay Jr. potentially being called up if the situation worsens.

What to watch

The Packers will finalize their game-day roster decisions after their final practice on Saturday. The team is expected to field five interior defensive linemen, including Karl Brooks, Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Ford, and rookie Chris McClellan, provided Brooks and Campbell are healthy. The game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is scheduled for Sunday, October 4.