Matt LaFleur offers clarity on Lukas Van Ness’ injury situation after Packers’ win over the Bengals and what it means for the defense
Former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness suffered a foot injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6, and it may affect his availability for the next few games.
It could’ve been much worse. Edge defender Lukas Van Ness had an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of his foot injury, and head coach Matt LaFleur indicated that it’s not anything serious. However, it’s still possible that the third-year player misses time.
“We definitely avoided something serious,” LaFleur detailed. “But how long he’ll be out remains to be seen.”
Van Ness got hurt during a fourth-quarter sack on veteran quarterback Joe Flacco during the Packers’ 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. It was his final play of the game.
Important role
So far this season, the former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has played 48.21% of the defensive snaps. He’s third on the defensive end rotation, behind Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary.
Matt LaFleur mentioned how important Van Ness has been for the unit.
“I think he’s playing pretty well. He’s been impactful, played physical,” LaFleur mentioned. “If he’s unable to go, that’s definitely going to be a loss.”
A first-rounder in 2023, Lukas Van Ness has had a breakout season of sorts, despite being the third edge rusher on the roster. Over the first five games of the year, he has produced 1.5 sacks, 16 pressures, and seven stops.
Without Van Ness, the Packers would have to lean more on Kingsley Enagbare and rookie Barryn Sorrell to eat some snaps at the edge position.
However, Green Bay could soon receive reinforcements. Brenton Cox injured his groin in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, and after missing four games, he’s already eligible to return from injured reserve. Additionally, fifth-round rookie Collin Oliver, an edge and off-ball linebacker hybrid, is eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list, where he started the season due to a hamstring injury.
The Packers, with a 3-1-1 record, play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in Glendale.
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