Stacy Revere/Getty

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Lukas Van Ness #90 of the Green Bay Packers looks on during warm-ups against the Dallas Cowboys before the game at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

In more tough injury news for the Green Bay Packers, edge defender Lukas Van Ness suffered a foot injury in Sunday’s win over the Bengals and did not return to the game. Van Ness sacked Cincinnati QB Joe Flacco in the third quarter and appeared to suffer the injury then, as he did not return afterwards.

After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur could not confirm how serious the injury was nor how long Van Ness would be out. All he said was that Van Ness suffered a foot injury and would get an MRI on Monday. During his press conference on Monday, LaFleur offered an update on Van Ness’ status.

“Yeah, I think we definitely avoided something serious,” LaFleur said. “But how long he’ll be out remains to be seen.”

It’s good news for the Packers that the MRI didn’t reveal anything serious, without a doubt. But the ambiguity in LaFleur’s statement casts doubt on Van Ness’ availability for next week’s game against the Cardinals, if nothing else.

When asked if Van Ness injured his foot on the sack, LaFleur seemed to think so. “I believe so, yes,” he said.

Green Bay Packers ED Lukas Van Ness Was in the Midst of a Breakout Season

John Fisher/GettyGREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 07: Lukas Van Ness #90 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a third quarter sack against the Detroit Lions during the game at Lambeau Field on September 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The No. 13 overall pick in 2023 out of Iowa, Van Ness was a unique prospect coming out of college. He was never a regular starter for the Hawkeyes, coming off the bench in a major rotational role. After redshirting in 2020, he played just two seasons at Iowa before entering the draft, totaling 69 tackles and 13 sacks across the two years.

When he declared for the draft after his redshirt sophomore season, he was viewed as a developmental prospect — someone with elite athletic testing and a gigantic frame, but someone who was also raw and needed time to work on his game.

While Van Ness wasn’t a stud right away, he’s been productive. Over his first two seasons, he had 65 tackles and seven sacks, playing a backup role on a deep Green Bay defensive line. But this season, he’s taken a step forward. The sack numbers don’t jump off the page, as he has just two on the season, but he has 17 pressures on the year and is making his presence felt.

“I think he’s playing pretty well,” said LaFleur on Van Ness’ performance up to this point in the season. “He’s been impactful and playing physical, so if he’s unable to go that’s definitely going to be a loss.”

The Green Bay Packers Enter an Important Stretch of the Season

Coming out of their bye week, the Packers picked up a good win over the Bengals. Now, they face a very winnable three game stretch: at the Cardinals, at the Steelers, home against the Panthers.

If Green Bay wants to prove they are an elite contender, going 3-0 in those games is paramount. A loss doesn’t sink their season by any means, but the competition for the top seeds in the NFC playoff race is going to come down to the wire. With the Rams, Eagles, Lions, 49ers, Buccaneers, and Seahawks all putting their hats in the ring early — and teams like the Commanders and Vikings could still be heard from — the Packers need to pick up wins now before their schedule toughens after that.

Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his final 2025 Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left. More about Ethan Woodie

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