Green Bay Packers Work Out 2 Kickers After Brandon McManus Injury

After years of instability, the Green-Bay Packers finally seemed to have found a reliable solution at the kicker position in veteran Brandon McManus. However, that stability was thrown into question this week when McManus suffered a quad injury in practice, prompting the team to take immediate action. Despite the kicker’s own confidence, the Packers’ front office is clearly preparing for the worst.

Green Bay Packers Matt LaFleur: A “Major Concern”

The situation began to unfold on Wednesday when Brandon McManus sustained a quad injury during practice. By Thursday, he was limited to taking only “mental reps,” a highly unusual situation for a kicker. The team’s concern became public when Head Coach Matt LaFleur addressed the media.

When asked about the injury, LaFleur did not mince words. “That’s a major concern right now,” he stated. “We’ll have a plan ready to go.”

This level of public concern from a head coach is significant. It signals that the injury is more than just a minor tweak and that the team is actively preparing for the possibility that McManus will be unable to play in their upcoming Week 6 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. For a franchise that has been plagued by kicking woes in recent years, the thought of returning to that uncertainty is a serious issue.

Conflicting Reports from Player and Coach

Adding a layer of intrigue to the situation are the seemingly contradictory statements coming from McManus and the coaching staff. While LaFleur expressed major concern, McManus himself projected an air of confidence when he spoke to the media on Thursday.

“I plan on playing,” McManus declared, indicating his intention to suit up against the Bengals. However, he also revealed a surprising lack of communication with his head coach about the injury, adding another wrinkle to the story.

This disconnect between the player’s public optimism and the team’s proactive measures is telling. It suggests that while McManus is determined to play through the pain, the organization is taking a more cautious approach. Quad injuries can be particularly tricky for kickers, as they can linger and significantly impact both power and accuracy. Even if McManus does play, there’s a real risk that he will be performing at less than 100%, which could be a liability in a close game.

The Packers’ actions speak louder than words. A team doesn’t hold emergency kicker workouts mid-week unless there is a genuine belief that their starting kicker’s availability is in jeopardy.

Packers Bring in Reinforcements for Workouts

Confirming the seriousness of the situation, the Packers held workouts for two kickers on Thursday, an unusual move for the team during the regular season. This indicates they are building a contingency plan in case McManus is ruled out. The two kickers brought in were Greg Joseph and Lucas Havrisik.

Greg Joseph: A Familiar Face

Packers fans will recognize the name Greg Joseph. He was with the team throughout training camp in 2024, battling Anders Carlson for the starting job. Joseph was initially thought to have won the competition and made the initial 53-man roster, but he was surprisingly released when the Packers claimed another kicker off waivers.

Since his last stint in Green Bay, Joseph has played for several NFL teams, including the Vikings, Titans, and, most recently, the 49ers. He has a career field goal percentage of 82% (116-of-141) and has been reliable on extra points, making over 90% of his attempts. His familiarity with the Packers’ organization and special teams staff could give him an inside track if the team decides to sign a replacement.

Lucas Havrisik: The Younger Option

The other kicker brought in was Lucas Havrisik, a younger player with less NFL experience. His only regular-season action came with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, where he made 15 of 20 field goals (75%). While he was perfect on kicks under 40 yards, he struggled from distance, going just 4-of-9 on longer attempts.

However, Havrisik recently had a successful stint in the UFL with the Arlington Renegades, where he led the league with 22 made field goals on 25 attempts, including a long of 54 yards. This recent success could make him an appealing option for the Packers if they are looking for a kicker with a strong leg and current momentum.

What This Means for the Packers

For now, all eyes will be on the final injury reports. McManus’s confidence is encouraging, but the team’s actions suggest a different story. Whether he is able to play through the quad injury or the Green Bay Packers are forced to sign one of their workout candidates, the kicking game has once again become a point of major focus in Green Bay. After a brief period of stability, the Packers are facing the familiar anxiety of uncertainty at one of the game’s most critical positions.