Packers add veterans Laken
Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton to help out their struggling offensive line
[September 29, 2026]
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Amid struggles across their offensive
line, the Green Bay Packers have added a pair of veteran linemen
they hope will steady the unit: Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton.
The Packers (1-2) announced the signings of both players Monday as
the Packers returned to work after a 35-14 loss to the Atlanta
Falcons on Thursday night.
Tomlinson was added to the 53-man roster, while Becton was signed to
the practice squad. To make room for Tomlinson, the Packers placed
injured right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele on season-ending injured
reserve. The Packers released defensive tackle Eric Johnson II to
open a spot for Becton.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur was asked if Tomlinson and Becton could
help Green Bay's offensive line immediately, perhaps as soon as the
Packers' Sunday game at Tampa Bay (0-3).
“Potentially,” LaFleur said. "“We haven’t been on the field with
them yet, so it’s tough to say. But I think as we progress through
the week, we’ll have a better indication of that.
“These guys have played a lot of football, so you know they know how
to play the game, and you know the game’s not too big for them. But
certainly, there’s going to be a learning curve there.”
The Packers signed the 34-year-old Tomlinson off the Dallas Cowboys'
practice squad. Becton, 27, had been out of football while
recovering from March shoulder surgery for a torn labrum.
Tomlinson has started 169 games (including playoffs) since 2015,
when the Detroit Lions selected him with the 28th overall pick in
the draft. His career has included stints with Detroit (2015-16),
San Francisco (2017-21), the New York Jets (2022-23), Seattle (2024)
and Houston (2025).
He played in 10 games and made seven starts for Houston last season.
He spent the entire offseason and training camp out of football
before signing on with the Cowboys’ practice squad.
“I feel like I can come in and provide some stability, some
toughness, some leadership,” Tomlinson said. “Obviously going into
Year 12, I’ve played a lot of ball. I feel like I’ve still got a lot
left in the tank. I feel like I can bring a lot to the team.
“I’ve been training all offseason and been waiting to get back out
there. I’m excited. I’m excited to get in front of the guys and get
ready to work.”
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Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts during the second
half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Green
Bay, Wis., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Becton started 14 games for the Los Angeles
Chargers last season. He arrived in the NFL when the New York Jets
selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft. Becton
was a right guard for the Philadelphia Eagles when they won the
Super Bowl during the 2024 season.
Becton didn't speak with reporters Monday because he is being added
to the practice squad, and practice squad players are not made
available to reporters.
The Packers have started three different players at left guard so
far this season as veteran Aaron Banks has battled knee tendinitis
and a toe injury. Banks started the team’s Sept. 20 win over the
Jets but left that game with the toe injury. He was inactive for the
loss to the Falcons.
Donovan Jennings and rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton have both
struggled while filling in for Banks.
The Packers also lost Bako-Bewele, their best lineman, to a
season-ending ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, an injury
he suffered three plays into the win over the Jets.
“All you can control is how you respond to every situation,” LaFleur
said of the line’s struggles. “We’re going to attack it head-on and
try to put the guys out there that we feel give us the best
opportunity to go win a football game.”
NOTES: LaFleur said All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons won't start
practicing this week, despite being eligible to do so. Parsons
remains on the physically unable to perform list while working his
way back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament that ended his
2025 season. “No setbacks. Just part of the process,” LaFleur said.
“He’s got to get cleared before we can let him get out there.” ...
Tight end Tucker Kraft, who drew criticism for his comments about
fans who booed the Packers during Thursday night’s loss,
acknowledged he chose his words poorly. “In hindsight, we were out
there on the field not doing the greatest,” Kraft said. “We’ve got
to go out there and put a better product on display, so people are
happier when they’re heading to their cars after the game.”
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