For weeks, the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff has been trying to convince us that kicker Brandon McManus has been healthy, even though he’s now three of nine on field goals outside of the red zone this
season. Clearly, he’s been pushing through an injury, and it has been impacting his performance, but the staff has said he’s been good to kick in games. That’s been their story even after McManus apparently told ESPN’s broadcast crew that Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles was the first time he was “even semi-healthy.” Now, it’s unlikely that he’ll suit up against the New York Giants.
Despite not being listed on the injury report at all this week, the Packers have now adjusted McManus’ status to doubtful, which means he almost certainly will miss tomorrow’s game against the Giants. The injury? Right quad, the same issue he’s been pushing through for months now. Woof. Apparently, there was some sort of setback.
In the meantime, expect to see Lucas Havrisik, who is four-of-four on field goals for the Packers this year (while setting the franchise record for the longest made kick in Green Bay history) and six-of-six on extra points. On Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur said the team planned on sticking with McManus this week. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said the same thing in his press conference in Week 11.
The Giants have a backup kicker for this game, too, as Graham Gano was placed on the injury reserve this week. It’ll be Younghoe Koo kicking for New York, who made his Giants debut last week, going two-for-two (long of 32 yards) after being released by the Atlanta Falcons earlier this season.
In other news, the Packers also ruled out receiver Malik Heath with a coach’s decision designation and stated that he will not travel with the team to New York. With rookie receivers Matthew Golden (shoulder) and Savion Williams (foot) listed as questionable, there’s the potential that the team will only have three wideouts (Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks) who are full-goes in this game. So expect a sprinkling of Bo Melton back on the offensive side of the ball this week, and maybe the team will have to call up one of their four practice squad receivers for this game.
With cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and Heath ruled out, plus McManus unlikely to go, the Packers will only have to rule out two more players to get their 53-man active roster down to a 48-man gameday roster this week.
