Packers expected to start rookie Zach Tom at left tackle vs. Commanders

With David Bakhtiari out on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, the Green Bay Packers are expected to make a big change at left tackle.

Instead of using Yosh Nijman on the left side, rookie Zach Tom would start in place of Bakhtiari, with Nijman playing right tackle, Elgton Jenkins sliding inside to left guard and Jon Runyan moving from left guard to right guard.

That’s how the Packers lined up along the offensive line during pre-game warmups, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Bakhtiari is dealing with knee discomfort and is inactive on Sunday, creating an expected twist to the offensive line shakeup in Week 7.

Instead of scraping the team’s plan to move Jenkins to left guard and Nijman to right tackle, the Packers will simply have Tom play left tackle on Sunday.

Tom, who started games at left tackle at Wake Forest, will make his first NFL start. He played 30 snaps at left guard as an injury replacement in Week 1.

During the preseason, Tom played 75 snaps at right tackle and 49 snaps at left guard, although he did get first-team reps at left tackle during training camp.

Tom’s matchup on Sunday? Montez Sweat, a first-round pick who has developed into one of the better young edge rushers in football.

The Packers offensive line is the group to watch. Compared to last week’s five starters, only Myers (at center) is playing the same position to start Sunday.