In a season marked by injuries, inconsistency, and shifting roles, the Green Bay Packers’ special teams have quietly become a weekly storyline. The kicking game, once a source of stability, has delivered its own share of drama through health concerns, missed kicks, and roster shuffling.
That revolving door took another unexpected spin on Saturday, creating even more uncertainty for Green Bay just one day before kickoff.
Why Was Brandon McManus Suddenly Added to the Injury Report?
The situation took another strange turn Saturday when veteran kicker Brandon McManus was added to the injury report with a right quadriceps injury and listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. The update came just days after a comment from ESPN’s Troy Aikman during Monday Night Football suggested that McManus wasn’t fully healthy, despite being active for the game.
Packers K Brandon McManus has been added to the injury report for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants due to a right quad injury and is doubtful.
Packers WR Malik Heath will not travel with the team and is out for Sunday’s game due to what the team is calling a coaching decision.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2025
The comment from Aikman seemed to surprise McManus, who addressed it with reporters later in the week. “That was news to me when I heard that I had said that,” McManus said on Thursday. “As you work through the progression of being injured, obviously, the pain tolerances and everything get better and better. Last week was when I felt almost back to normal, pretty much back to normal. Pretty much no pain, didn’t feel anything in my leg.”
Despite participating in Friday’s practice without being on the injury report, he reported tightness in his leg Saturday morning, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. This prompted the Packers’ medical staff to reevaluate his status. The Packers currently rank 11th with a grade of C+, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact (DEFi).
Who Will Kick for the Packers Against the Giants?
With McManus now doubtful, Green Bay is expected to turn to Lucas Havrisik. He previously filled in for two games earlier this season and was perfect in those appearances, converting all four of his field goal attempts and all six of his extra points. His performance included a franchise-record 61-yarder.
This decision comes as McManus has struggled since returning from his initial injury. He has missed four of his last eight field goal attempts and currently ranks last among qualified kickers in field goal percentage this season at just 64.7%. His most recent miss was a 64-yard attempt in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The sudden reappearance of McManus on the injury report, especially after he publicly stated he felt fine, adds another layer of confusion to one of the Packers’ most unpredictable positions.
With playoff implications looming, Green Bay’s kicking game remains a major question mark heading into the final stretch of the season.
