GREEN BAY – There are emergency spot starts and then there’s what Zach Tom has done this season.
The fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest has had a unique rookie year to say the least. While Tom has only seen action in five of the Packers’ 13 games this season, included in that are three late-notice starts on the left side of the offensive line.
The first came in Week 7 against Washington after left tackle David Bakhtiari was a late scratch due to a knee issue. The five-time All-Pro returned to his post the following week against Buffalo, but Tom was then pressed into action at left guard after Elgton Jenkins injured his ankle in Friday’s practice and was unable to play.
After a short relief appearance in Detroit, Tom had settled into a reserve role on the offensive line until the Friday before Green Bay’s Week 13 matchup with Chicago, when Bakhtiari underwent an appendectomy that sidelined him against the Bears.
Like he’s done all season, Tom stepped in and showed out while protecting the blindside of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was battling both thumb and rib injuries entering the Week 13 showdown. Rodgers was hit just three times and not sacked.
“He’s had multiple games this year where 90 minutes before the game, ‘Hey buddy, you’re in,'” said Rodgers of Tom with a laugh. “It’s crazy. I’ve never been a part of something like that during my career.
“I give him a lot of credit because he’s played both guard and tackle for us and stepped in and done a really nice job.”
With Bakhtiari still on the mend, Tom could be in position for his first NFL start following a full week of preparation this Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Packers drafted the 6-foot-4, 304-pound offensive lineman in April due in part to the versatility he displayed during his time with the Demon Deacons. He started 13 games at center during his sophomore year before spending his final two seasons at left tackle.
With both Bakhtiari and Jenkins starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list, Tom played everywhere for Green Bay this past summer. He proved to be a quick study and has shown all the signs early on of another Day 3 draft find for the Packers.
“Certainly not like a rookie,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur when asked how Tom has looked in spot duty. “You talk about not flinching in any moment, he’s done that. He’s stepped right in and feel like for the most part, he’s played at a pretty high level. I’m excited about Zach and the flexibility that,…
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