Packers coach Matt LaFleur provides injury update before facing Giants
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur talks about injuries, Jeff Hafley and how his team can turn things around.
GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is no stranger to getting his teams out of a funk.
In 2023, around this same time, the Packers had a 3-6 record. They managed to rally and win six out of eight games to end the regular season, blow out the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card playoff round and lose in the divisional round to the San Francisco 49ers by 3 points.
It’s why the confidence hasn’t changed for this team riding a two-game losing streak.
“Staying the course, and you got to try to block everything out and really focus on you,” LaFleur said.
The Packers have a chance to right the ship when they face the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 16.
“There’s as much mindset, mentality to this as anything, and then I think the confidence comes from knowing you put in the work,” LaFleur said. “That’s what our guys have handled this week, and that’s what we’ve done. Ultimately, like I said, we’ve got to go out and do it.”
LaFleur also addressed the health of the team before heading to New Jersey.
Here’s the latest from practice:
Packers list three questionable to play vs. Giants; one ruled out
The Packers have listed Lukas Van Ness (foot), Matthew Golden (shoulder) and Savion Williams (foot) as questionable to play against the Giants.
Nate Hobbs (knee) is ruled out.
For the Giants, quarterback Jaxson Dart (concussion), wide receiver Darius Slayton, offensive lineman Evan Neal, and linebackers Chauncey Golston and Kayvon Thibodeaux are ruled out. Defensive back Tyler Nubin and defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches are doubtful. Defensive back Paulson Adebo and linebacker Bobby Okereke are questionable.
Lukas Van Ness injury update
The Packers defensive end practiced for the second straight day, leaving the door open to his return to game action.
Van Ness hasn’t played since injuring his foot in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“He’s been doing things in the return-to-play process,” LaFleur said. “Certainly, you’d like to have more practices under his belt, but if he feels like he can go, we’ll put him out there.”
Matthew Golden injury update
The Packers rookie receiver practiced all week with the team, improving his chances of playing.
Golden exited the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers with a shoulder injury and said he was close to playing against the Philadelphia Eagles, but his shoulder was still bothering him, so the decision was made to hold him out.
“I feel pretty good,” Golden told reporters Nov. 13. “I’m excited about being back on the field and be able to try and help the team as much as I can.”
Christian Watson injury update
The Packers receiver appeared on the injury report Nov. 13 with knee/hamstring injuries, but he made it clear it’s just typical soreness and that he’ll play against the Giants.
Watson was participating in practice Nov. 14 and hasn’t missed all week.
“They’ve just got to do what they’ve got to do. If it were up to me, I’m not injured. But they’ve just got to do what they’ve got to do. I’m good,” Watson told reporters Nov. 13. “I have no worries in terms of where I’m going to be at for Sunday. Just precautions I guess, for them.”
Aaron Banks injury update
The Packers guard didn’t participate in pre-practice stretching with the team and stayed inside the Don Huston Center as the team went outside for practice. He was on a bike instead, during the portion of practice open to the media.
According to the injury report, Banks was held out of Nov. 14 practice due to a veteran rest day. He has no game status for Sunday so he’s good to go.
Nate Hobbs injury update
The Packers cornerback missed practice all week as he’s dealing with a knee injury.
Hobbs will miss his second straight game.
(This story was updated following the release of the injury report.)