The Commanders can take advantage of a clear opportunity against the Packers, but one recent injury to a starter could ruin it

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 6:59 PM ET

The Washington Commanders made a strong impression on defense in Week 1 against the New York Giants and took advantage of a key injury on the offensive line.

They may have a repeat of Sunday's performance as they travel to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, but there was a wrench possibly thrown in the plans on Wednesday due to an injury.

The Packers are dealing with their own injury bug on the offensive line, and the Commanders can test out the backups on the line if the starters can't go, but they may be without starting defensive end Deatrich Wise, according to the injury report.

The Packers are banged up in a key position group

The Packers made their own statement on Sunday after dominating the Detroit Lions on both sides of the ball. The Lions had nothing for Jordan Love, who took zero sacks and had zero passes thrown away. He also had the highest big-time throw rate in the NFL for Week 1 at 17.4%. The Commanders have to get pressure on a quarterback who doesn't take pressure.

The one advantage, however, is that it is a short week, and the Packers had two massive injuries on their offensive line on Sunday, and both are questionable, and true game-time decisions according to head coach Matt LeFleur

Matt LaFleur said he will give Aaron Banks and Zach Tom all the way up til game time Thursday to see if they can play. Either way, it’s nothing longer term with them. pic.twitter.com/C2WqLwR9i5
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 9, 2025

Starting right tackle Zach Tom and starting left guard Aaron Banks both left the game against the Lions, and could miss out on Thursday's matchup, causing the Packers to shuffle the offensive line. The Packers would have to depend on youth and decide who plays where between Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, and Darrian Kennard.

Both players missing the game could be a huge impact on how much time Love gets in the pocket, and the Commanders created chaos on Russell Wilson last week, who was missing Andrew Thomas at left tackle. They can repeat that performance, but they may be without starter Wise coming off the edge.

A recent injury on the final report

The Commanders' injury report looked positive, aside from starting punter Tress Way, heading into Thursday Night Football, but a knee injury popped up for Wise on Wednesday, and now he's listed as questionable.

#WASvsGB game status
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2025

The Commanders' pass rush made a statement on Sunday after pressuring Russell Wilson on 22 of his 45 dropbacks. Dorance Armstrong led the league with a career-high nine pressures against Wilson, and Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne joined the party as well. Those three may need to do it again against the banged-up Packers offensive line to help the Commanders come away with a massive road win.

If Wise is unable to play, his 40 snaps from Sunday will need to be filled in, and Jacob Martin could be the guy to do so, as they continue to rotate players all around the line for different looks. Javontae Jean-Baptiste was inactive on Sunday, and he would likely be the guy to take the roster spot and be in that rotation as well.

The Commanders have to get pressure on Jordan Love all game to keep him off his game and get Jayden Daniels back on the field. The defensive line can have a repeat performance as last week, even if Wise misses the game, due to the Packers rolling out a new look offensive line with injuries to two starters.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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