Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness has finally spoken up about the foot injury that has largely kept him off the field since Week 6, but it does not sound as though the former first-round pick is too close to returning.
Van Ness — the team’s 2023 first-round pick — has missed six of the last seven games with a foot injury that he sustained in Week 6’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals on October 12. He attempted to return against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12, but he made it just six defensive snaps before his injury forced him to exit for the afternoon.
The next week, Van Ness sat out every practice and missed the game against Detroit.
Now, Van Ness is clarifying that his foot “just wasn’t exactly” where it needed to be when he tried to play against the Vikings. As for when he might return, though, it could be some time, as ESPN’s Rob Demovsky noted Van Ness had a walking boot on his right foot when he spoke with reporters at the team facility on Monday, December 1.
Lukas Van Ness (foot) was in a walking boot today. This after he tried to return on Nov. 23 following 5 weeks out but lasted just 6 snaps vs. Minnesota and then was out again last week at Detroit.
Here’s what LVN said today about the situation:
“It just wasn’t exactly where I wanted it to be,” Van Ness said Monday about his foot injury, via Demovsky. “Was hoping to get back on the field and return to play, played a limited amount of snaps, and it didn’t feel quite right yet, so just back on the rehab plan and hoping I can turn the corner shortly. But until then, just rehab, work with the training staff and coaches and hope I can get healthy soon.”
The Packers (8-3-1) will host the Chicago Bears (9-3) at 4:25 p.m. ET on December 7.
Matt LaFleur: No ‘Setback’ With Lukas Van Ness’ Foot
On the surface, Van Ness’ failed attempt at returning to the lineup in Week 12 may have seemed like a setback, but the Packers have been clear all along that was not the case.
While Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted last week that they all believed that Van Ness would be further along in his recovery at this point, he refused to classify his dropping out against the Vikings as a “setback,” but rather a reality of where his foot is.
“No, I wouldn’t say it’s a setback,” LaFleur said on November 25. “I think it’s just where he’s at. We thought he might be able to go, he tried to go and wasn’t feeling it.”
Van Ness tallied a modest 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and 16 pressures in his first five games this season before his injury, carving out production despite slipping into a rotational role after the trade acquisition of Micah Parsons.
With only five games left in the regular season and no clear signs that Van Ness is close to returning, though, the Packers will need to start making other plans to bolster their pass rush without him as they attempt to wrestle away the division lead from Chicago.
Depending on how much more time he misses in 2025, the Packers might also have an easy call to make on Van Ness’ fifth-year option when decisions are due in the spring. Over the Cap projects Van Ness’ option would cost the Packers about $14.93 million for the 2027 season, an inordinate price for a pass rusher with 8.5 sacks in three seasons.
Could Packers Regain DL Depth Before Bears Game?
The walking boot suggests that Van Ness is unlikely to return to the field for the Packers in time to play against the Chicago Bears in Week 14, but they are getting at least one of their injured defensive linemen back in the mix at practice this week.
According to the NFL’s transaction wire, the Packers designated defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. for return from the injured reserve list on Monday, December 1. He will now have 21 days to practice before the Packers must either activate him or shut him down.
The Packers also opened the 21-day activation window for rookie pass rusher Collin Oliver, who is listed as a defensive lineman on the team’s official roster but also has the dual function of being able to line up as an off-ball linebacker. If the Packers decide to deploy him as an edge rusher, he could help fortify depth behind their starters.
Even if neither one returns in Week 14, the Packers could potentially get some help for their defensive line if Karl Brooks returns to action. He did not participate in practice or walkthroughs in the short week against the Lions and was ruled out for Thanksgiving’s matchup. His status will bear monitoring when the first injury report comes out.
