Packers Tackle Zach Tom Legally Changes Name to Zach Bako-Bewele at 26

Q: Will Bako-Bewele's ongoing recovery from knee surgery derail his highly anticipated return to the Packers' starting lineup this season?

Probably not. The available reporting points to Zach Bako-Bewele remaining on track for a return to Green Bay’s starting lineup, even if the Packers manage his workload early in camp. The key sign is that he did not open camp on the physically unable to perform list. Bako-Bewele said his knee is “getting better” after surgery for a partially torn patellar tendon and that he hopes to resume team work within about a week. He has already been participating in individual drills and walk-throughs, which suggests the recovery is advancing rather than stalled. Packers coverage also continues to project him as the starting right tackle. Offseason depth-chart reporting listed him with the starters, and team expectations appear to be that he will “bounce back” from last year’s knee injury. Separate reports have even described him as healthy enough that Green Bay expects him to be ready for the start of the season. That said, there is still some uncertainty until he returns fully to team sessions and handles contact. Patellar tendon injuries can be tricky for linemen because of the strain they place on the knee in pass protection and run blocking. If he suffers a setback, the timeline could change. But based on what is known now, his recovery does not appear likely to derail his anticipated return. The more realistic scenario is a monitored ramp-up through training camp rather than a prolonged absence into the regular season.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 2

Green Bay offensive tackle Zach Tom said Sunday he has legally changed his name to Zach Bako-Bewele.
Bako-Bewele said the new surname combines the last names of his paternal grandparents, who are Nigerian.
The 26-year-old said he wanted a name he could pass down to future children that clearly reflects his family’s origins and his own heritage.