Brandon McManus’ kicking situation has become a weekly storyline as he battles a lower‑body injury and a dip in form. After a strong 2024, the veteran’s 2025 campaign has been interrupted by a right leg issue, missed attempts, and an in‑game switch to an alternate option.
With divisional positioning tight, the Packers are weighing health, performance, and continuity at a position that often decides one‑score outcomes.
Brandon McManus’ Injury Led To Recent Struggles
McManus was added to the injury report with a right quadriceps/groin designation and listed as doubtful for the following day, confirming the leg problem that had lingered through the fall.
He missed two games, returned, and then struggled, with five missed field goals over a six‑game span, with his field‑goal make rate dropping into the bottom tier of the league. Coaches publicly backed him, citing improved health and strong practice sessions, even as game results wavered.
Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia explained the stance: “Why not the confidence in Brandon? People miss kicks, people miss tackles, people miss throws, people miss catches, people miss blocks. He missed a kick in the game (against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, from 43 yards in a three-point loss). He’s kicking off really well. He’s getting healthier and healthier by the day. Had a helluva set yesterday in practice, anticipate him having a really good day tomorrow.”
The injury context tracks with the recent pattern. McManus first appeared on reports ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals matchup, missed consecutive games, then returned against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but continued to work through the leg.
Broadcast commentary noted he didn’t look fully right, which the kicker addressed afterward, saying he felt “pretty much back to normal” and close to pain‑free late that week. Even so, the combination of recovery and form necessitated that the staff keep a replacement available on the 53-man roster to protect the game-day plan.
Who Replaced Brandon McManus As the Packers’ Kicker?
Lucas Havrisik stepped in when McManus couldn’t go. Signed in October as insurance, Havrisik went perfect through his first two appearances in Green Bay, 4-for-4 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points, including a 61‑yard field goal at the halftime horn that set the Packers’ franchise record. The Packers currently rank 11th with a grade of C+, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact (DEFi).
He remained active even after McManus returned, reflecting a pragmatic approach to a recurring leg issue. When called again in windy conditions at MetLife, Havrisik missed two extra points, showing how venue and weather can stress a midseason replacement. Still, his overall early‑season line and long‑range leg gave the staff a viable contingency while McManus worked back to full strength.
The staff’s calculus blends health, confidence, and game‑day conditions. Havrisik’s presence allows the Packers to manage McManus’ workload and decide late whether to dress one or both based on pregame assessments.
For now, coaches say McManus is trending healthier and kicking well in practice; the club will continue to monitor participation, late‑week leg response, and forecasted wind at open‑air venues before setting the card. With a tight schedule and thin margins, Green Bay’s kicking plan remains a live decision each week until the starter’s leg and form stabilize.