Packers Sign Veteran Guard Laken Tomlinson Off Cowboys Practice Squad

Green Bay has added 34-year-old veteran Laken Tomlinson to an offensive line that has allowed 27 hits on Jordan Love through three games.

The Green Bay Packers (1-2) have signed 34-year-old veteran guard Laken Tomlinson off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Tomlinson, a 2015 first-round pick, has appeared in 173 career games with the Lions, 49ers, Jets, Seahawks, and Texans, though he has not played since Week 17 of the previous season. The move follows a 16% pass block win rate through three games, which ESPN Research identifies as the lowest mark recorded by any team since the metric was established in 2017.

Green Bay’s offensive line has struggled with both health and performance, resulting in quarterback Jordan Love being hit 15 times in Week 1 and 12 times during a recent loss to the Falcons. The team has utilized three different starters at left guard because preferred starter Aaron Banks has been limited to one game due to toe and knee injuries. Additionally, the Packers lost starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, while first-year starter Jacob Monk has struggled at right guard.

The acquisition of Tomlinson, a 2021 Pro Bowler, also aims to bolster a rushing attack that averaged a league-worst 48.7 yards per game through the first three weeks. The Packers managed only 17 rushing yards in their loss to Atlanta. Tomlinson originally entered the league as the 28th overall selection by the Detroit Lions.