99 Silverado tailgate

My 99's tailgate will not open. it felt like something popped(linkage possibly) when I tried to open it.

Is there an access pannel on the tailgate. The truck has a bedliner, so I'd like to know before I take the time to take it off the tailgate.

Does anyone have any suggestions

I believe you have to remove the handle itself. There should be no need to remove your bed cover. If I remember correctly, there's a cover around the handle and that pops off somehow.