The Packers will enter the Week 8 showdown on Sunday night against the Steelers in Pittsburgh with more sideshows than usual, of course, as the team gears up to play against franchise icon Aaron Rodgers for the first time. While those sideshows will be interesting, they will be of little consequence once the game gets underway.
Of more concern to wins and losses here in 2025 is the status of the team’s injured players, some of whom are beginning to trickle back onto the active roster. First up in that regard is wide receiver Christian Watson, whose injury-pocked Packers career appeared to be potentially over when he tore his ACL in the final week of the 2024 season in January.
But Watson has worked hard to return to the field, and has had his practice window opened after his stint on IR. He is eligible to play this week, and says he feels he is ready to get back on the field. Coach Matt LaFleur said the team is still not so certain he will be out there.
“Let’s just get through the week and see where he’s at,” LaFleur said.
Reminded that Watson has practiced nine times already, LaFleur said his return is more complicated than just the state of his knee: “I think a lot of it is getting reacclimated, you’re talking about a long layoff without football. Just trying it build him up so he can handle the demands that are going to be placed on him on game day.”
Packers’ Devonte Wyatt Could Return
Also of interest is the knee injury suffered by defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, who has been out since the Week 4 tie with the Cowboys because of a knee injury. He has been back at practice this week, and his return would be big–Wyatt has been among the better defensive linemen in the league this year.
There’s some hope he will be back on the field Sunday night.
Said LaFleur: “He has looked pretty good. A lot of it is going to be how he responds today and on into Sunday before we make a decision.
GettyPackers head coach Matt LaFleur.
Brandon McManus ‘Kicked Well’
The other major injury situation looming for the Packers is that of kicker Brandon McManus, who has missed the past two games with a quad injury. McManus kicked on Thursday and LaFleur said he spoke to him on Friday.
“He kicked well,” LaFleur said. “My conversation with him this morning, he said he feels great. That will be a medical decision at the end of the day.”
Packers ‘Potentially’ Could Carry 2 Kickers
A McManus return could force the Packers to let go of replacement kicker Lucas Havrisik, who has gone 10-for-10 on field goals and extra points in his two-week cameo. He also made a franchise-record 61-yard field goal on Sunday in Arizona.
The Packers would likely have to cut Havrisik to bring back McManus. If they attempt to demote him to the practice squad, it’s almost certain that another kicker-needy team will scoop him up.
LaFleur was asked about keeping two kickers on the 53-man roster, a rarity in the NFL. He said: “Potentially, if it comes to that, if we absolutely have to. I’d rather not if I’m being honest about it. This situation could be a little bit different.”
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