DETROIT — One perfect week was apparently all the Green Bay Packers needed to believe kicker Brandon McManus is all the way back.
The Packers released backup kicker Lucas Havrisik on Nov. 26, one day before playing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Now with only one kicker on the roster, McManus will handle field goals, extra points and kickoffs going forward.
The Packers also signed receiver Will Sheppard from the practice squad to the 53-man roster because receiver Jayden Reed will not be ready to play this week. Reed hasn’t played since breaking his collarbone Week 2 against the Washington Commanders and is also returning from foot surgery. The Packers also are navigating injuries with rookie receivers Matthew Golden (shoulder/wrist) and Savion Williams (foot).
With cornerback Keisean Nixon “day to day” after dropping out with a stinger against the Vikings, the Packers elevated cornerback Jaylin Simpson from the practice squad to the active roster for game day. Linebacker Jamon Johnson was also elevated from the practice squad with Quay Walker also dealing with a stinger.
McManus was perfect last week against the Minnesota Vikings, making three short field goals and both of his extra points. It was perhaps a sign the quadriceps injury on his kicking leg is fully healed. McManus missed two games last month with the injury, during which Havrisik was perfect on kicks against the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals.
The Packers kept Havrisik on their roster after McManus returned against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a rare move to keep two kickers among the 53 limit. McManus missed at least one field goal in each of his next three games before the quad injury flared up again Nov. 15, leaving him inactive against the New York Giants. Havrisik missed a pair of extra points on a blustery day at MetLife Stadium.
McManus made field goals of 32, 30 and 40 yards against the Vikings. It was his first game without missing a kick since Week 1 against the Lions, though he had a field goal and extra point blocked against the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.
The Packers also did not elevate a running back, perhaps signaling that Josh Jacobs will be ready to play against the Lions.
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers cut Lucas Havrisik, sign Will Sheppard ahead of Lions game
