Packers lose RT Zach Bako-Bewele to season-ending knee injury

Green Bay's right tackle tore his patellar tendon in Week 2 against the Jets and faces surgery plus eight to 10 months of recovery.

Zach Bako-Bewele, the Green Bay Packers' right tackle, announced that a complete patellar tendon tear will keep him off the field for the remainder of the year. The injury occurred three plays into the Packers' Week 2 victory over the New York Jets, during the team's first offensive series.

Surgery is scheduled for Sept. 24, followed by a rehabilitation period that Bako-Bewele estimates at eight to 10 months. He pointed to the playing surface at MetLife Stadium as a possible factor, noting Green Bay had also played on artificial turf in Minnesota the week before, while adding that he was unsure of the exact cause.

The torn tendon is in the same knee he hurt last December against the Denver Broncos, an injury that cost him nearly the entire offseason. He had also been unable to finish any of Green Bay's final five games a year ago.

The loss removes the top player from an offensive line already dealing with injuries. Bako-Bewele said his focus now turns to recovery and preparing for next season.