Packers lose tackle Zach Bako-Bewele to season-ending knee injury
The short version
- Zach Bako-Bewele tore the patellar tendon in his right knee and is out for the season.
- The injury occurred in the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
- Bako-Bewele said he knew immediately something was wrong and questioned the turf surface.
- Anthony Belton is expected to take over at right tackle for Green Bay.
Green Bay right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele will miss the rest of the season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee, suffered at MetLife Stadium.
Green Bay Packers right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee. The severity of the injury was confirmed Tuesday, and the 27-year-old addressed reporters at the team facility afterward.
Bako-Bewele said he sensed immediately that the injury was serious when it happened during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. He also suggested the stadium's turf surface worked against him, saying, "I don't think the turf helped."
"It's definitely not what I anticipated happening, but I just gotta get back to work and start thinking about next year," he said, according to Vince Lovergine of Fox News 11.
The injury was the second blow on consecutive plays for Green Bay. Wide receiver Jayden Reed had been carted off just before Bako-Bewele went down, following a hard hit to the head.
Anthony Belton is expected to step in as the Packers' starting right tackle. John Williams could also factor into the mix depending on how coach Matt LaFleur reshapes the right side of the offensive line.
