Injured Kicker May Miss Week 6 but Personally Asked Head Coach Matt LaFleur for One More Chance
Green Bay, Wisconsin
A quadriceps injury that initially seemed minor has cast a shadow over Green Bay this week. The Packers’ starting kicker has been placed on alert, his status for Week 6 uncertain. But what caught the attention of coaches and fans wasn’t the injury itself — it was how he chose to face it.
Despite being advised to rest, he insisted on playing. After a few missed kicks in previous weeks, he wanted another chance — not for redemption in the eyes of the public, but for himself and the teammates who trust him every Sunday.
Head coach Matt LaFleur described their conversation as one of the most powerful moments he’s experienced in the locker room.
“Sometimes you see something in a player’s eyes that words can’t explain. It’s not just the desire to play — it’s the belief that they owe something to their team, their brothers, and to themselves. And when someone stands up in pain and asks for a chance to make it right, that’s when you know the spirit of Green Bay is still alive.”
With his leg still far from full strength, the kicker continued light training in the chilly Wisconsin air, determined to prove that he deserves one more opportunity to step back onto the field.
Only later did LaFleur confirm the name — Brandon McManus.
He’s hurting, but not broken. And for Green Bay, that spirit alone might be worth more than any field goal he could ever make.
