GREEN BAY — The addition of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers' defensive end position seemed to create some ambiguity around Lukas Van Ness' role within Jeff Hafley's defense.
Van Ness no longer was an assumed starter with Rashan Gary.
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However, this was never an all-or-nothing venture for Van Ness. The quality of his opportunities will increase with Parsons in the mix, as will the number of ways he can be utilized.
"Just because I have a candle and it’s lit, and I light your candle, my candle don’t go out," defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington said. "So we’re lighting each other’s candles. That don’t mean my candle is blown out. So that’s the same for Lukas."
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Van Ness tallied four pressures and a sack on only 19 pass rush snaps in Sunday's game. He had just two other games in his two-year career, which spans 35 total games, where he recorded at least four pressures.
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Packers defensive ends Lukas Van Ness, left, and Micah Parsons talk during Sunday's game against the Lions in Green Bay. JEFFREY PHELPS, Associated Press
Van Ness ranked tied for 10th out of 96 eligible defensive ends in Pro Football Focus' pass-rush productivity metric before Monday's game. It is intended to measure how often a player generates a sack, quarterback hit or hurry relative to the number of pass rush opportunities.
"I think Van Ness is going to have his best year yet this year," Parsons said after Sunday's win over the Lions. "I’m going to make sure of it. That guy, he’s a very selfless player, like very selfless. He’s one of them guys that can go anywhere. He plays the run, he does everything. He’s the high quality player that you just want to be around."
Van Ness put together a strong showing during training camp before his third pro season. He was a frequent visitor to the backfield by rushing off the edge during most practices.
Van Ness appeared poised to take a leap this season even before the addition of Parsons. But his ceiling seemingly has gotten higher with Parsons in the fold, if Week 1 was a glimpse of what's to come.
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Defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse said just about all of the attention is on Parsons when he's on the field. Offensive line protections often are slid his way, which can create mismatches to exploit for other defenders. The double-teams Parsons takes on can provide one-on-one matchups for other defensive linemen to take advantage of.
One example of how Parsons' presence helped Van Ness came on his third-quarter sack when Parsons pressured Jared Goff off the defense's left side on a third-and-8. That forced Goff to step up in the pocket, where Van Ness was waiting for him after beating the Lions' guard. Detroit ended up punting.
"I’m excited to have Micah here, and I think he brings a lot to our room and a lot of variances," Van Ness said. "I moderately took some inside reps throughout camp, and last week we started working on some different packages and some things we can utilize not only for myself, but for Micah and (Gary) and some other dynamic guys on the team. I think we displayed that today."
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How Van Ness was utilized when Parsons was on the field changed as well. Hafley moved Van Ness inside while Gary and Parsons rushed from the defensive end positions during several of obvious passing downs.
Van Ness entered the NFL with interior pass rush experience from his college days at Iowa, and he previously has lined up inside with the Packers. So Van Ness being asked to line up there Sunday wasn't new, but there now is the opportunity for him to do that more with Parsons on the team.
Van Ness' versatility helped Hafley highlight his creativity as a play caller.
the Packers' defensive line featured Parsons and Gary at defensive end with Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt inside for the Lions' first third down of the game. Van Ness dropped into coverage, which muddied passing lanes over the middle of the field, while linebacker Quay Walker rushed the quarterback.
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"I think it creates a lot of one-on-one opportunities and creates some confusion across the offensive line," Van Ness said about moving around. "Ultimately we’re just trying to get matchups and one-on-ones and I mean, you saw the production today. I think we were able to get some favorable matchups and the one-on-ones that we want."
Van Ness has been able to flash, but now it's about doing that consistently. He's going to have some added help this season.
"I’m going to make sure that guy gets as many plays as possible," Parsons said. "I believe in him. I told him, I said, 'I think you can be like a Cameron Wake. You could be like a Julius Peppers.'"
Photos: Packers open season with home contest against Detroit
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed catches a 17-yard touchdown pass as Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold defends during the first half Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, right, rushes during a play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft catches a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown makes a sideline catch against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs catches a pass against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons rushes during a play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive players pose after a Evan Williams (33) interception against the Detroit Lions during the first half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is brought down by Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney, left, and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons rushes against Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Morry Gash, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary tackles Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, pulling him out of the end zone, during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers' Jayden Reed runs past Detroit Lions' Jacob Saylors during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs stiff arms Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs for a 3-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, rear, during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throws against the Green Bay Packers during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Mike Roemer, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa catches a 13-yard touchdown pass as Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine defends during the second half on Sunday in Green Bay. Matt Ludtke, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons, left, and his teammates celebrate his sack of Lions quarterback Jared Goff, not pictured, on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates his sack on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Jordan Love celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks runs against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur looks on from the sidelines on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell consoles quarterback Jared Goff on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs runs against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay. Jeffrey Phelps, Associated Press
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