A midweek quad injury to Brandon McManus has cast the Green Bay Packers’ placekicking situation in uncertainty ahead of their game Sunday against the Bengals. McManus reportedly suffered the injury during Wednesday practice and, while he is confident he will suit up, head coach Matt LaFleur was not so optimistic. If McManus can’t go, punter Daniel Whelan isn’t a default replacement as he has yet to attempt a field goal in three NFL seasons. In case there is a need, the Packers brought in a pair of kickers for workouts: Lucas Havrisik (one year, Rams) and Greg Joseph, a six-year veteran.
Insurance policy in place in case McManus is forced to miss
Per team reporter Rob Demovsky, both players were flown in today but will not audition until tomorrow. Havrisik’s only season came in 2023 with Los Angeles, when he went 15-20 on field goals and 19-22 on extra points. His career long is 52 and he made just 2 of 6 kicks between 40 and 49 yards (2-3 on 50-plus). Not great.
Nov 3, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Brandon McManus (17) reacts after missing a field goal during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Joseph, on the other hand, has carved out a successful career from 2018 to 2024 with a variety of teams. Most notably, he spent three seasons in Minnesota from 2021-2023. Prior to last season he signed with the Packers but was released in August. After spending time with the Commanders, Giants, and Jets, Joseph joined the 49ers in May 2025 but was again cut before the season started.
Several seasons removed from his Vikings peak, he has not made a kick longer than 54 yards since 2022. Last year between Washington and the New York teams he attempted only two field goals of 50-plus yards in 20 tries.
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants place kicker Greg Joseph (34) kicks a field goal with punter Jamie Gillan (6) holding during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Obviously, the Packers hope they won’t have to use either Havrisik or Joseph. Best-case scenario, McManus is right, LaFleur is wrong, and he suits up on Sunday for business as usual. Green Bay has suffered too many special teams blunders to deal with an injured kicker too
So far this season, McManus is 7-9 on field goals with a long of 56. The Packers signed him to an extension this offseason after his first season in Green Bay in 2024. Before that, McManus spent nine years in Denver and one with the Jaguars.
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers place kicker Brandon McManus (17) gets set to kick a field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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