Packers Receive Positive Updates on Two Injured Players vs. Bengals

Green Bay Packers Face New Injuries After Bye Week Game

Green Bay, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers faced a tough challenge in their first game after the bye week, and it didn’t go as smoothly as hoped. While they managed to secure a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the team left the game with several players sidelined due to injuries.

Three key players were forced out of the game. However, there was some good news for two of them.

Lukas Van Ness Suffers Foot Injury

Defensive end Lukas Van Ness suffered a foot injury and did not play in the second half of the game. Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed relief that nothing was broken, but he noted that an MRI was scheduled to determine the severity of the injury.

“Everything seems okay, but how long he’ll be out remains to be seen,” LaFleur said on Monday. Van Ness had recorded the only sack of the game and is third on the team with six quarterback hits this season.

“I think he was playing pretty well. He’s been impactful and playing physical. If he’s unable to go, it’s definitely going to be a loss,” LaFleur added.

Dontayvion Wicks and Javon Bullard Injured

Receiver Dontayvion Wicks suffered an ankle injury in the first half and was late coming out of the locker room following halftime. He played only the first offensive snap of the third quarter before being replaced.

Nickel back Javon Bullard, who had previously missed time due to a concussion, left the field early in the third quarter for evaluation after a significant collision with Bengals running back Chase Brown. Fortunately, Bullard did not suffer a concussion and will not start the practice week in the protocol.

“It’s a major sense of relief,” LaFleur said. “I went up to him right after the game, I’m like, ‘Hey, how …’ He’s like, ‘I’m fine.’ And usually, you can tell if a guy’s dinged up or not, but I’m certainly not a medical professional.”

Zach Tom and Aaron Banks Return

Right tackle Zach Tom and left guard Aaron Banks returned to the lineup and played every snap. However, Tom’s status will need to be monitored this week. He suffered an oblique injury in Week 1 against Detroit and has been dealing with the issue throughout the season.

Tom declined to rate his pain on a 1-to-10 scale and refused to answer whether he should have given himself more time to heal. Despite the injury, he played well, allowing only two pressures from Pro Football Focus.

“I just want to go home and go to sleep,” Tom said after the game.

LaFleur remained optimistic about Tom’s return, noting that he battled hard and played extremely well.

With the return of Banks, the Packers gained 409 yards and scored on five of their eight possessions. Quarterback Jordan Love praised the offensive line’s performance.

“I felt very comfortable with whoever we had in there, but having those guys, you could feel the difference,” Love said. “That’s going to be a big key going forward is trying to find ways to stay healthy and get our body back throughout the week.”

Other Players Injured

Defensive tackle Devonte Waytt was inactive with a knee injury originally sustained in Week 3 at Cleveland. Kicker Brandon McManus was inactive with a groin injury sustained at practice this week. Rookie offensive tackle Anthony Belton was also inactive with an ankle injury.

With Waytt injured, sixth-round rookie Warren Brinson made his NFL debut and played 21 snaps. He didn’t record any tackles but applied a couple of pressures.

McManus went through an extensive pregame workout, but his thumbs up was shot down by general manager Brian Gutekunst and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. “It was tolerable,” he said. “You saw me keep kicking. I was kicking 50-yarders no problem. It was tolerable.”

In McManus’ absence, Lucas Havrisik made all five kicks, including a clutch field goal to clinch the game. “They thought they just wanted to play it smart and safe,” McManus said. “It’s early in the season and they didn’t want to make it more than a one-week type deal.”

Future Moves and Additions

Reinforcements could be on the way. Last week, the Packers opened the 21-day return-to-play windows for receiver Christian Watson and lineman Jacob Monk. Watson was ruled out on Friday, but Monk was listed as questionable, meaning he was far enough along to consider adding to the roster.

Along with Watson and Monk, running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring), defensive end Collin Oliver (hamstring), and offensive lineman John Williams (back) are on reserve lists.

Defensive end Brenton Cox will be eligible to return from injured reserve this week after suffering a groin injury in Week 1. Depending on the severity of Van Ness’ injury, his return could be fortuitous timing.