Although the Green Bay Packers have the flexibility to keep two kickers on the active roster, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed veteran Brandon McManus will remain the team’s kicker despite on-going struggles coming off an injury.
McManus has missed field goals in three straight games since returning from a right quad injury that lingered for a month.
LaFleur said there would be no kicking change this week as the Packers prepare to play the Giants in New York.
“No, we’re confident with Brandon,” LaFleur said Wednesday.
Among qualified kickers, McManus ranks 34th out of 34 NFL kickers in field goal percentage at 64.7 percent. He’s missed six kicks in 17 tries. Among those misses was the 64-yard miss to end Monday night’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I think some of those situations, like the one the other night, that’s a tough situation to be in,” LaFleur said. “I would say the day to day that we experience and watch and evaluate across the street. We’re going to put more stock into the practice. And then, ultimately, you have to go out there and perform on gameday.”
After making 6-of-7 kicks of at least 40 yards a year ago, McManus is an NFL-worst 3-for-9 on kicks of 40 or more yards in 2025.
The leg injury has been an on-going point of discussion considering the decline in performance. McManus injured his right quad in practice before Week 6 and missed two games. He returned in Week 8 and is 4-for-8 on field goals over the last three games.
LaFleur said the team goes through a medical process first with an injured player, and McManus has been confident in his health and performing well during the week.
“He’s done well at practice, so that’s how I have to make a decision,” LaFleur said.
The other kicker on the roster is Lucas Havrisik, who went 4-for-4 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points in wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals while McManus was out. He made a clutch kick in the fourth quarter against the Bengals and set a franchise record with a 61-yard field goal before the half in Arizona.
For now, the Packers can keep two on the roster.
“Lucas is a really good, young, up and coming kicker as well,” LaFleur said. “Fortunately, we have the flexibility within our roster to carry two.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers sticking with veteran Brandon McManus at kicker
