The Green Bay Packers have ruled out one of their most important offensive players against the Bears in the Wild Card Round.
The Green Bay Packers have listed right tackle Zach Tom as inactive for their Wild Card matchup against the Chicago Bears. Tom was questionable heading into the game, as he hasn't played since suffering a knee injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 15.
Tom is Green Bay's best offensive lineman, and not having him is a major disappointment for the offense.
On Tuesday, head coach Matt LaFleur said he expected Tom to play, but his status was more questionable throughout the week, and he is now inactive.
Without Tom, Green Bay will likely start Jordan Morgan at right tackle. Darian Kinnard will serve as the sixth offensive lineman and the backup at right tackle.
The Packers' offensive line will have a bigger challenge without Tom, but they will need to play well to advance in the playoffs. Quarterback Jordan Love has been efficient in moving the ball downfield, but he will need time in the pocket to deliver.
On the season, Love completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,381 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. In the first matchup with the Bears, Love completed 17 of 25 passes for 234 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
He connected on a couple of deep touchdown passes in that game, but he will need time in the pocket to have that performance again.
Without Tom, they will need Morgan and the rest of the offensive line to play at a high level to help Love, as well as Josh Jacobs and the run game.
The Packers enter the postseason on a four-game losing streak, including a devastating Week 16 loss to the Bears in overtime.
The many injuries they suffered in Week 15 against the Broncos, including those to Micah Parsons and Tom, have led to the struggles to close out the regular season.
However, Green Bay can't have any excuses as they take on their rival in the postseason. They have the talent to go out and win the game and advance to take on the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round.
If the offensive line steps up without Tom, it would go a long way toward securing a victory for the Packers.