Matt LaFleur shares cloudy update on key Packers defender who left Bengals game with concerning injury

A big part of the Green Bay Packers’ defensive structure is their elite edge rush rotation. Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary are the stars, but fellow former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has been instrumental for the unit.

On Sunday, during the 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Van Ness got a sack on veteran quarterback Joe Flacco late in the game, but immediately got off the field with a foot injury. It’s not clear what the outlook is, but head coach Matt LaFleur shared an update after the matchup.

“I talked to him real quick,” LaFleur explained. “I know he's going to get an MRI [on Monday].”

Positive detail

While the MRI will determine what Van Ness’ injury is and if he will need to miss some time, one detail of LaFleur’s quote is promising.

“I know he's sore in his foot, but I don't believe there was anything broken,” the head coach revealed. “We'll have a better understanding of what's going on [Monday].”

Edge depth

The ability to have three productive edge defenders has been a key for the defense so far. Not only has defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley been able to rotate the three, but in several instances there are package plays for all of Parsons, Gary, and Van Ness to be on the field at the same time. Van Ness, in particular, has the versatility to move inside.

Beyond them, the quality of the pass rushers is not the same. The fourth guy is Kingsley Enagbare, who has generated trade buzz, and fourth-round rookie Barryn Sorrell.

The Packers still have some injured players at the position close to returning. Brenton Cox hurt his groin in Week 1 versus the Detroit Lions and is now eligible to come back from injured reserve — it’s not clear if he’s fully healthy, but he’s already spent four games on IR. Additionally, fifth-round rookie Collin Oliver, an edge and off-ball linebacker hybrid, started the season on the physically unable to perform list due to a hamstring injury and is also eligible to be activated at any point.