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Packers RT Zach Tom to Undergo Hip Surgery, Out for the Season 

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A jolt for the Packers’ offense: sources confirm right tackle Zach Tom will undergo hip surgery and miss the remainder of the 2025 season, just one day after a 27–13 Week 1 win over the Detroit Lions. The team initially hoped Tom could manage a few weeks on a conservative plan, but advanced evaluations revealed structural damage requiring surgery.

Tom’s importance isn’t in question: he’s the edge “fuse” that helps Jordan Love maintain quick timing and keep the pocket clean outside. Losing him forces Green Bay to reshuffle immediately on both edges and adjust tempo to reduce direct stress on the offensive line.

As for replacements, the realistic path is keeping Rasheed Walker at LT while elevating Luke Tenuta or Caleb Jones to RT; another option is sliding Jordan Morgan to RT with Sean Rhyan and Elgton Jenkins stabilizing the interior. In parallel, personnel leadership is surveying the veteran tackle market for a short-term, cap-friendly swing T to bolster depth now.

Schematically, expect more quick game and RPO/glance, added chip/duo help from TEs/RBs to the right side, and heavier play-action boot/nakeds to change the launch point and shorten edge protection time. In the red zone and on third down, the rhythm likely shifts toward faster throws to Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson (when ready) with intermediate concepts that keep drives alive.

Head coach Matt LaFleur  said: “Zach is a warrior, but as the head coach I’m not turning his health into a gamble. We’ll do what’s best for the Packers and for Zach’s future. If we don’t have absolute confidence after the final check, he won’t play — even if everyone wants to see him out there.”

From a roster-management angle, GM Brian Gutekunst is expected to target a low-risk, ready-to-play addition: a swing tackle with meaningful snaps, using snap-based incentives to protect the cap. If internal options hold up, Green Bay could rotate temporarily for 1–2 weeks before locking in a steadier configuration.

Looking ahead, the Packers will quickly stress-test this new-look OL next week. The goals: sustain drives, avoid negative plays, and preserve the run–action identity that maximizes Love. Tom’s absence is significant, but with a flexible playbook and decent depth, Green Bay believes it can stay on a competitive trajectory in the NFC.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side