Kicker Brandon McManus popped up on the Green Bay Packers‘ Week 6 injury report after hurting his quad in Wednesday practice. Head coach Matt LaFleur termed the injury a “major concern,” but McManus insisted that he plans to play on Sunday. According to McManus, coach and kicker did not even discuss the issue. His staunch stance and the apparent contradiction between the two raised more than a few eyebrows in the Packers community.
Is McManus good to go or isn’t he?
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reported one McManus’s response to questions about his injury on Thursday:
Brandon McManus tells us he plans to kick on Sunday. Asked about LaFleur saying his right quad injury is a “major concern,” McManus said he didn’t talk to LaFleur about his injury and that LaFleur has his own thesaurus.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 9, 2025
With the slightest of smirks tugging at his mouth, McManus told the media, “I plan on playing, yes.”
Given the team’s special team struggles, the Packers could use the stability of a healthy McManus against the Bengals. Obviously he has been part of the issue, most notably having his field goal blocked against the Browns late in a 13-10 loss, but he is their best option and has been solid. Yes, he botched an extra point, but McManus has missed only one other field goal and drilled both his tries from 50-plus, including a 56-yarder.
Many fans took the player’s side in hoping that the can make it out to the field on Sunday.
Take away MLF’s thesaurus privileges.
— PackersRealm (@PackersRealm) October 9, 2025
Has anyone considered that MLF may be … AI?
— columnistmike (@columnistmike) October 9, 2025
Exactly. Just kick the ball and do your job.
— 💯 JAH7 💯 (@Jhaut7) October 9, 2025
Of course, as others pointed out, there is more to it than just taking McManus’ word. Either LaFleur is wrong – it’s not that big of a deal – or he is – it is a big deal and could keep off the field – or else there is a middle ground. It’s a little strange to see such a “disconnect,” as one commenter put it, between player and coach, and it’s also true that players tend to claim adequate health if they have at least one good leg to stand on.
There is only so much Packers fans can take in the special teams circus, though, so hopefully McManus gets the greenlight three days from now at Lambeau.
Green Bay Packers place kicker Brandon McManus, left, talks with former NFL quarterback turned broadcaster Tom Brady before their game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Solider Field in Chicago, Illinois.
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