Packers Kicker Makes Unexpected Week 6 Announcement After Injury Concern
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Green Bay Packers kicker, Brandon McManus, missing a 48 yard field goal against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter of week 2 on September 11, 2025.
The Green Bay Packers‘ issues extend beyond it, but special teams has once again been the the Packers’ fatal flaw, just over a month into the 2025 season.
Green Bay once again has one of the NFL’s most misfiring special teams units, from having blocked kicks in successive games against the Browns and the Cowboys prior to the week 5 bye, to consistently allowing big plays on kick and punt returns.
It looked like the unit could go from bad to worse this Sunday, when head coach, Matt LaFleur announced that there was “major concern” over whether Super Bowl-winning kicker, Brandon McManus, would be able to play in week 6.
Brandon McManus Believes He Could Play On Sunday
However, speaking later on Thursday, spoke to the media and stated that he expects to suit up this weekend, as the Packers attempt to extend their record to 3-1-1 as they host the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau.
Brandon McManus tells us he plans to kick on Sunday. Asked about LaFleur saying his right quad injury is a “major concern,” McManus said he didn’t talk to LaFleur about his injury and that LaFleur has his own thesaurus.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 9, 2025
“Brandon McManus tells us he plans to kick on Sunday.” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman reported on Thursday. “Asked about LaFleur saying his right quad injury is a “major concern,” McManus said he didn’t talk to LaFleur about his injury and that LaFleur has his own thesaurus.”
Another report, this time from ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, has McManus detail how his current injury is similar to one he has pushed through in the past, and managed to play effectively that weekend, giving him the confidence to say that he will play on Sunday.
Packers kicker Brandon McManus says he plans to play on Sunday vs. Cincy even after his quad injury yesterday in practice.
He had a similar situation earlier in his career and played that Sunday. pic.twitter.com/0Y9CrrEdjn
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 9, 2025
“Like I said, it’s very similar to my injury that i had in ’22. I had a pretty good game – I had two 50 yarders and a 40 yarder in that game. So like I said, I plan on playing.” McManus reiterated, via Demovsky.
Is McManus Sure To Suit Up For The Packers On The Weekend?
It is never fully apparent the extent to which the information dolled out by players themselves v.s. the coaches has the upper hand.
Ultimately, Green Bay’s medical staff will likely have the final say as to whether the former Denver Bronco plays on Sunday, but it is interesting that there is such a strong dichotomy between the opinions and attitudes of LaFleur and McManus on whether the 34-year old will play on Sunday.
“That’s a major concern right now, so we’ll see how he’s doing today and tomorrow,” LaFleur said before Thursday’s practice earlier in the day. “We’ll have a plan ready to go.”
There is hardly anything definite either way, but at this point, nothing will be confirmed until at the earliest on Saturday, as the Packers ensure that they have at least one capable name ready to go for Sunday.
Ex-Steelers QB Named Potential Target for Browns in Wild Trade Idea
Quarterback has been a bit of a circus for the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 calendar year. That has only continued recently, with the Browns trading veteran Joe Flacco before their matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.
This week, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the circus behind center for the Browns could continue. On Tuesday, Knox named the Browns one of two potential suitors for former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
“The primary reason Wilson might draw interest? He’s cheap. With a base salary of just $2 million, he would be a budget alternative for any team currently getting poor quarterback play or in need of a veteran mentor,” wrote Knox.
“He will also remain the most sensible QB target if and when another starter goes down with a long-term injury.”
This year alone at quarterback, the Browns traded for Kenny Pickett, signed Flacco and then drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Over the past seven weeks, Cleveland has now traded Pickett and Flacco.
The idea the Browns could now be interested in Wilson is absolutely wild.
Why Browns Could Acquire Another QB
Trading Flacco seemingly cleared roster room for Sanders to be QB2 for the Browns going forward. However, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name Sanders the backup for Gabriel in Week 6 early this week.
“All roster type of things, I always have to be mindful of our players and our players’ development,” Stefanski told reporters. “And I want to make sure that I’m always doing what’s best for our players and, of course, our team. But with young players, I’m always thinking about — last week, making the change to Dillon, you have to think long and hard about that, because these are young players that you are so invested in their development.
“So, I’ll let the week play out [and] make a decision later.”
Cleveland trading Flacco to help a division rival only to then turn around and give up draft assets for Wilson would be bizarre. But it makes sense for the short term if the Browns aren’t comfortable with Sanders as QB2.
With the Browns, Wilson wouldn’t receive his next opportunity to start. In fact, he’d be a mentor to another rookie signal-caller (a pair of them).
But if Wilson costs less than what Cleveland received for Flacco, then the Browns could win the quarterback exchange.
Why the Giants Probably Want to Trade Russell Wilson
The New York Giants received a bit of a scare with Jaxson Dart on Thursday night. The rookie quarterback left briefly to be evaluated for a concussion.
But he returned to the game, a contest the Giants defeated the defending champions 34-17.
Dart is now 2-1 as an NFL starter. On Thursday night, he completed 17 of 25 passes for 195 yards with a touchdown. Dart also ran for 58 yards and another score.
If Dart suffers an injury like he almost did Thursday, Wilson could start for the Giants again. However, New York also has veteran Jameis Winston.
The Giants could move on from Wilson, dealing him for draft compensation, and promote Winston as QB2.
Knox projected Wilson’s trade value to be a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick. That could be an appealing price for both the Browns and Giants.
Giving up a sixth-rounder means the Browns keep the fifth-round pick they received for Flacco. For the Giants, they will get what they can for Russell Wilson.
The veteran quarterback could be seeking a fresh start anywhere.
Dating back to last season, Wilson has now lost seven consecutive regular season games. That’s the longest losing streak of his NFL career.
