Packers to Lose Zach Tom for Cowboys Clash as Offensive Line Faces a Critical Test
The bright lights of Sunday Night Football will shine on more than just a game. They’ll spotlight a Green Bay offensive line missing its anchor and a defensive star coming home. Zach Tom’s oblique injury leaves the Packers scrambling for protection, while Micah Parsons makes his long-awaited return to the stadium where he first became a household name.
Injury Update
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, right tackle Zach Tom, the Green Bay Packers' best pass protector, has been ruled out against the Dallas Cowboys after struggling with an oblique injury that first surfaced in Detroit during their Week 1 matchup. This was a difficult yet strategic move as the Week 5 bye will give Tom two full weeks to heal before a potential Week 6 return against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Impact on the Packers
Tom attempted to play last week in Cleveland, but managed only one snap before exiting. Head coach Matt LaFleur admitted the decision to let Tom suit up was a misstep. “I would chalk it up to it’s hard to simulate what these guys are going to go against in the game,” he said. “We did our best in terms of trying to put him through enough and certainly had him going in practice, but still, the game—it’s a different speed.” The silver lining is that Tom didn’t worsen the injury, meaning the extra rest should set him up for a full return after the bye.
Without him, Green Bay’s offensive line collapsed, surrendering 17 total pressures and five sacks, while quarterback Jordan Love faced a career-high 42% pressure rate. The Packers will now need to simplify their game plan to find quick answers against a Dallas front.
Filling the Gap
Head coach Matt LaFleur will likely lean on rookie Anthony Belton, who received the majority of snaps in Week 2 and offers steady footwork on the edge. First-round pick Jordan Morgan and veteran Darian Kinnard remain in the mix, especially with left guard Aaron Banks still dealing with a groin injury. Expect the Packers to use quick passes, extra tight-end help, and creative blocking schemes to keep Dallas’ front from dictating the game.
The Bigger Picture
Allowing Tom time to rest is a calculated move to protect their $88 million investment and to continue to preserve the season’s bigger goals. If the Packers can steal a win on the road without their best blocker, it would signal depth, resilience, and a team capable of surviving early-season adversity.
The night will carry extra emotion for another reason; Micah Parsons, now the heart of Green Bay’s defense, returns to AT&T Stadium for the first time since leaving the Cowboys. His homecoming adds an extra layer of intrigue to a matchup already loaded with storylines.