Packers Sign K Lucas Havrisik
OCTOBER 12: McManus is among the Packers’ inactives for today. As a result, it will indeed be Havrisik handling kicking duties for at least one game.
OCTOBER 11: With Brandon McManus‘ status in question, the Packers auditioned a pair of kickers earlier this week. One of those was Lucas Havrisik, and he now has a deal in place. 
The Packers announced on Saturday that Havrisik has been signed to the active roster. That means he will be available to the team for tomorrow’s game against the Bengals. Green Bay had two open roster spots heading into today, making the decision to sign an insurance option a relatively easy one.
McManus is dealing with a quad injury, one head coach Matt LaFleur deemed a “major concern.” In spite of that, McManus said on Thursday he plans on playing in Week 6. In case that does not wind up happening, it will be Havrisik taking on kicking duties in his place. The Packers could have turned to International Player Pathway Program member Mark McNamee, but he will remain on the practice squad at this time.
Havrisik kicked in nine games for the Rams last season. During that period, the 26-year-old was perfect from within 40 yards. Beyond that distance, however, he only went four for nine; Havrisik also missed three of his 22 extra point attempts. His stock was boosted this spring during a spell with the UFL’s Arlington Renegades which included conversions on 22 of 25 field goal kicks.
The 2-1-1 Packers are coming off their bye week, and they will be expected to deliver a strong scoring output given the struggles of the Bengals’ defense. The kicking game may not be particularly relevant depending on how things play out, but it will nevertheless be interesting to see monitor McManus’ status for Sunday and beyond. In the event he misses any time, Green Bay’s contingency plan is in place.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/25
Packers Audition Multiple Kickers
With kicker Brandon McManus battling a quad injury, the Packers hosted Lucas Havrisik and Greg Joseph for workouts on Thursday, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
McManus was injured in practice on Wednesday but said on Thursday that he still plans to play on Sunday against the Bengals, according to Demovsky. He referenced a similar injury in 2022 that he played through, albeit with a noticeable but not extreme impact on his performance. By the end of that season, he appeared to be back to full strength.
The Packers do have another kicker on their roster in Mark McNamee, an Ireland native who is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. He made one of his two field goals and two of his three extra points in the preseason, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). It is not surprising that the Packers wanted to explore other options before trotting out such an inexperienced player in the regular season.
Havrisik’s only NFL experience came in 2023 with the Rams. He went 11-for-11 from inside 40 yards, but converted only four of his nine attempts from further out. Havrisik’s most recent action came with the UFL’s Arlington Renegades in 2025; he made 22 of his 25 attempts with a long of 54 yards.
Joseph is a much more experienced player with 75 appearances across his six-season career. He has a career conversion rate of 82.3% and made four of his nine field goals from 40 or more yards in 2024.
The Packers seem unsure of McManus’ status for Week 6. Head coach Matt LaFleur said (via Demovsky) before Thursday’s practice the kicker’s quad injury was a “major concern right now” and indicated that the veteran kicker was day-to-day, per Demovsky. However, special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said (also via Demovsky) that he was “planning on McManus playing Sunday as of right now.”
A signing on Friday would be an indicator that McManus is at serious risk of missing the game, but he seems determined to play.
Traded Draft Picks For 2026
Many months remain before teams know where they are picking in the 2026 draft, but many clubs have made moves to acquire 2026 draft capital. Headlined by the Browns, Rams and Cowboys’ efforts, here are the 2026 picks to have changed hands thus far. When more deals involving picks are made (or conditions on moves already completed become known), that information will be added.
Round 1
- Browns hold Jaguars‘ first, after agreeing to move down from No. 2 to No. 5 in swap for WR/CB Travis Hunter
- Rams acquired Falcons‘ top pick, sliding down from No. 26 to 46 in deal that sent OLB James Pearce Jr. to Atlanta
- Cowboys obtained Packers‘ first in trade sending DE Micah Parsons to Green Bay
- Jets added Colts‘ first in trade for CB Sauce Gardner
Round 2
- Texans added Commanders‘ second, obtaining it in four-pick package that re-routed LT Laremy Tunsil to Washington
Round 3
- Eagles picked up Jets‘ third in March 2024 deal that sent OLB Haason Reddick to New York
- Serving as gateway on QB Jaxson Dart‘s New York path (at No. 25 overall), Texans acquired Giants‘ third
- Jaguars hold Lions‘ third due to Detroit climbing 32 spots (to No. 70) for WR Isaac TeSlaa
- Dolphins acquired third from Texans, who moved pick in package for No. 116 (RB Woody Marks)
- Trade for WR George Pickens sent Steelers Cowboys‘ third in deal involving three draft choices between 2026 and ’27
- Dolphins added Eagles third in trade for OLB Jaelan Phillips
Round 4
- October 2024 trade for LT Cam Robinson sent Jaguars conditional fourth-rounder from Vikings
- Chiefs added Bears‘ fourth in swap that sent G Joe Thuney to Chicago
- Patriots snagged selection from Chiefs in deal that gave Kansas City No. 85 (CB Nohl Williams)
- Tunsil trade also sent Texans fourth from Commanders
- Bears snared Rams‘ fourth in deal that gave Los Angeles No. 148 (DL Ty Hamilton)
- Broncos added Saints‘ fourth, sending WR Devaughn Vele to New Orleans
- Raiders obtained higher of Jaguars‘ two fourths in trade involving WR Jakobi Meyers
- Saints acquired Seahawks fourth in trade for WR Rashid Shaheed
Round 5
- August 2024 Ernest Jones trade — the first of the two swaps involving the LB last year — sent Rams pick from Titans
- Titans obtained Rams fifth in trade involving CB Roger McCreary
- In deal that sent G Kenyon Green to Eagles and S C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Texans, Philadelphia obtained Houston’s fifth
- Eagles acquired Falcons fifth by dealing No. 96 to Atlanta (S Xavier Watts)
- Ravens added Jets fifth by moving out of No. 176 (DE Tyler Baron)
- Titans obtained Ravens pick in trade for OLB Dre’Mont Jones
- Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder
- Titans obtained Ravens pick in trade for OLB Dre’Mont Jones
- Trade for DE Bryce Huff positioned to send Eagles conditional fifth from 49ers
- Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder based on performance
- Vikings acquired Eagles fifth in trade involving QB Sam Howell
- Browns collected Raiders fifth in trade involving QB Kenny Pickett
- Jaguars obtained Eagles conditional fifth in trade involving RB Tank Bigsby; pick could upgrade to fourth if 49ers DE Bryce Huff meets certain conditions in 2025
- Browns added Bengals fifth in trade for QB Joe Flacco
- Ravens collected Chargers fifth in trade involving OLB Odafe Oweh, S Alohi Gilman
- Shaheed trade sent Saints fifth from Seahawks
Round 6
- Trade involving DL John Franklin-Myers, agreed to on Day 3 of 2024 draft, sent Jets sixth from Broncos
- Vikings acquired Jets sixth in deal involving DL Harrison Phillips
- Eagles added Vikings sixth in trade for Sam Howell
- Ravens obtained Eagles sixth in trade involving CB Jaire Alexander
- Eagles added Vikings sixth in trade for Sam Howell
- Vikings acquired Jets sixth in deal involving DL Harrison Phillips
- Rams obtained pick from Texans in swap that sent WR Ben Skowronek to Houston
- Seahawks added sixth from Browns in deal that sent C Nick Harris back to Cleveland
- Jaguars added pick from Seahawks in October 2024 deal for DL Roy Robertson-Harris
- Intra-NFC East swap involving DT Jordan Phillips brought Giants sixth from Cowboys
- Phillips being on Cowboys’ gameday roster for two games finalized trade
- Intra-AFC East deal for CB Brandon Codrington, Jets received sixth from Bills
- Texans added sixth from Vikings in October 2024 RB Cam Akers swap
- Vikings reacquired choice from Texans in deal for G Ed Ingram
- Pick-swap deal centered around RB Jordan Mason sent sixth to 49ers
- Vikings reacquired choice from Texans in deal for G Ed Ingram
- October trade for DE Josh Uche sent Patriots sixth from Chiefs
- Deadline deal involving OLB Za’Darius Smith gave Browns sixth from Lions
- Bengals obtain Browns sixth in deal for QB Joe Flacco
- Trade involving Gardner-Johnson and Green sent Texans sixth from Eagles
- Lions obtained sixth from Jaguars in pick-swap deal for Isaac TeSlaa
- Trade-up move involving K Tyler Loop (at No. 186) sent Jets sixth from Ravens
- Giants acquired sixth from Dolphins in exchange for retired TE Darren Waller‘s rights
- Texans obtained sixth, TE Harrison Bryant from Eagles in exchange for WR John Metchie, 2025 fifth
- Browns added sixth from Jets, trading DT Jowon Briggs to New York
- Jaguars obtained sixth from Browns in trade involving CBs Tyson Campbell, Greg Newsome
- Raiders added Jaguars sixth in Jakobi Meyers swap
- Jaguars obtained sixth from Browns in trade involving CBs Tyson Campbell, Greg Newsome
- Commanders nabbed 49ers sixth in exchange for RB Brian Robinson
- Vikings collected Colts sixth in deal for CB Mekhi Blackmon
- Lions added Jaguars sixth in deal for WR Tim Patrick
- Tank Bigsby trade sent Jaguars sixth from Eagles
- Titans obtained Jets sixth in trade involving CB Jarvis Brownlee
- Rams added Titans sixth in trade involving CB Roger McCreary
- Patriots netted 49ers sixth in trade involving DE Keion White
- Patriots landed Steelers sixth in trade that sent S Kyle Dugger to Pittsburgh
- Browns acquired sixth from Bears in trade for DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Round 7
- May 2023 trade gave Jaguars conditional seventh from Lions in exchange for K Riley Patterson
- Nick Harris trade sent Browns seventh from Seahawks
- Cowboys added seventh from Giants in Jordan Phillips trade
- Cowboys collected conditional seventh from Chiefs for Peyton Hendershot
- Brandon Codrington trade sent Bills seventh from Jets
- Titans obtained seventh from Chargers in exchange for DB Elijah Molden
- Browns–Bills‘ trade involving WR Amari Cooper sent Cleveland seventh
- Za’Darius Smith pick-swap trade brought Lions seventh from Browns
- Rams acquired seventh from Ravens in Tre’Davious White deadline deal
- Deadline deal involving DT Khalil Davis gave Texans seventh from 49ers
- Jaguars collected seventh from Texans — originally the Rams’ Ben Skowronek pick — in trade for WR Christian Kirk
- Patriots acquired seventh from Saints in deal involving DT Davon Godchaux
- Bills snagged seventh from Cowboys in exchange for CB Kaiir Elam
- In Jowon Briggs trade, Jets added seventh from Browns
- Vikings collected Jets seventh in deal sending DL Harrison Phillips to New York
- Jaguars snared seventh from Eagles in deal sending T Fred Johnson back to Philadelphia
- Browns obtained pick from Jaguars in Greg Newsome trade
- Bears pried pick from Browns in Joe Tryon-Shoyinka swap
- Browns obtained pick from Jaguars in Greg Newsome trade
- Jets added Titans seventh in Jarvis Brownlee trade
- 49ers collected Patriots seventh in pick-swap deal for Keion White
- Steelers acquired Patriots seventh in trade involving Kyle Dugger
- Bengals added seventh from Cowboys in trade involving LB Logan Wilson
Packers Open WR Christian Watson’s Practice Window
Coming off their bye, the Packers could have a key offensive contributor in the fold soon. Wideout Christian Watson has returned to practice, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky notes. 
Last week, head coach Matt LaFleur said (via Demovsky) the team was discussing opening Watson’s practice window right after the bye. Today’s news comes as no surprise as a result. The Packers now have 21 days to activate Watson from the reserve/PUP list.
An ACL tear ended the 26-year-old’s 2024 campaign. Watson has been rehabbing the injury since then, and he expressed optimism last month in his ability to return to practice when first eligible to do so. That would have meant having his window opened last week, but in any event today’s update is an encouraging sign. Watson will be expected to handle a notable role upon activation, especially with Jayden Reed recovering from multiple surgeries.
Injuries have prevented Watson from playing a full season to date in his career. The former second-rounder nevertheless signed an $11MM deal this offseason to ensure he will not depart in free agency during the spring. Watson’s ability to receive a longer commitment from Green Bay will obviously be tied to his health and the extent to which he can duplicate last season’s success. Prior to his Week 18 ACL tear, the North Dakota State alum posted a career-best 620 yards while averaging 21.4 yards per reception.
Much of the Packers’ long-term plans at the receiver spot remains uncertain. Romeo Doubs (who is currently in the final year of his rookie pact) could be playing his way into an extension, while Reed will be eligible for a second contract after this season. Part of the team’s decisions on those fronts will no doubt be influenced by Watson and his role in the passing game upon returning to action this season.
In other injury news, offensive lineman Jacob Monk has also had his 21-day activation window opened (h/t Demovsky). Monk was moved to injured reserve during roster cutdowns while being designated for return. As a result, he (along with running back MarShawn Lloyd) already counts toward Green Bay’s total in terms of IR activations for the year. Monk could join Watson on the Packers’ gameday roster as early as Week 6 depending on how the next few days play out.
Packers Have Interest In Extending WR Romeo Doubs
While Romeo Doubs once appeared to be the odd man out in the Packers receivers room, the veteran could soon be the recipient of an extension. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the organization has “interest in potentially extending” the wide receiver. The reporter adds that the two sides have had “cursory talks” about the impending free agent’s future in Green Bay.
[RELATED: Packers Sign Christian Watson To Extension]
It was only a year ago that Doubs was hit with a one-game suspension by the Packers for missing practices due to personal reasons. We later heard that Green Bay’s front office discussed trade scenarios involving Doubs during the offseason. Fowler notes that the organization has since “shown no interest in trading him,” and Packers brass would actually prefer to hand the former fourth-round pick a second contract.
Of course, that may be easier said than done. As Fowler notes, Doubs could be emerging as the top WR in this upcoming offseason’s free agency class. The 25-year-old will be joined by the likes of Mike Evans, Jakobi Meyers, and Jauan Jennings, but Doubs’ age means he could be in line for more term and more money. Fowler points to Khalil Shakir‘s four-year, $53MM deal with the Bills as the type of contract that’s seeming increasingly unlikely to be signed by Doubs, an indication that the Packers wideout could be eyeing a contract worth at least $15MM annually.
While the Packers may be interested in securing Doubs on a team-friendly contract, they may not feel the urgency to overspend on the impending free agent. After inking Christian Watson to a recent extension, the team has the rest of their depth under contract through at least the 2026 season. Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks will all be free agents in 2027, but the team used recent draft picks on first-round WR Matthew Golden and third-round WR Savion Williams.
As the Packers navigate a number of injuries to their receivers corps at the moment, Doubs has stepped up for the organization. The wideout is tied with Josh Jacobs for the team lead in rushing/receiving touchdowns (four), and he’s been the team’s second-most reliable pass catcher behind tight end Tucker Kraft. The Nevada product’s best NFL season came in 2023, when he hauled in 59 catches for 674 yards and eight touchdowns.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/1/25
Here are the first minor transactions of October:
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: S Loren Strickland, LB Ty Summers
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed from practice squad: S Trey Washington
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed from practice squad: T Foster Sarell
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: WR Tyreek Hill (story)
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Packers): T Brant Banks
Washington Commanders
- Signed from practice squad: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Placed on IR: DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (story)
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/30/25
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: OLB DJ Johnson
- Waived/injured: WR Dalevon Campbell
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: OT Brant Banks
Houston Texans
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: OL Jarrett Kingston
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed off Cowboys’ practice squad: LB Buddy Johnson
- Waived: LB Cameron McGrone
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed from practice squad: TE Carter Runyon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed off Steelers’ practice squad: S Sebastian Castro
- Placed on IR: S Rashad Wisdom
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/27/25
Here are Saturday’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DT Jordan Phillips
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: OLB Boogie Basham, G Brandon Walton
Chicago Bears
- Signed from practice squad: LB Carl Jones
- Elevated: TE Stephen Carlson, DT Jonathan Ford
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: WR Jalen Cropper
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: WR Jackson Meeks
- Placed on IR: S Daniel Thomas
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: G Lecitus Smith
Houston Texans
- Elevated: CB Myles Bryant, CB D’Angelo Ross
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: CB Mike Hilton, G Josh Sills
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: TE Quintin Morris, WR Austin Trammell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: CB Kevin Knowles, DT Brodric Martin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: TE Albert Okwuegbunam, TE Carter Runyon
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: T Foster Sarell, RB Kimani Vidal
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: RB Cam Akers
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Darius Harris, C Brenden Jaimes
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: DE Fadil Diggs, LB Nephi Sewell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: RB Trey Sermon
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: LB Curtis Jacobs, RB Jordan Mims
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: CB Antonio Hamilton, WR Tay Martin
With Colts cornerback Kenny Moore presumed to potentially miss a few weeks, the recent signee, Hilton, will get his opportunity to supplement the team’s secondary. He may be able to earn an official spot on the 53-man roster with an impactful game. Similarly, Cropper may be able to get into his first NFL game since going undrafted in 2023 as he gets elevated to a receiving corps that will sorely miss CeeDee Lamb.
Morris is getting called up for the third time for Jacksonville. If the Jaguars intend for him to appear in another game after this week, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster.
Latest Details On Fallout Between Cowboys, Micah Parsons
This weekend, star pass rusher Micah Parsons will return to the stadium in which he played the first four years of his NFL career. As many revisit the dramatics that led to his exit from Dallas, a few interesting new details and retellings have emerged. 
As many surely remember, the inciting incident that led to some contention between Parsons and the team that drafted him was a one-on-one meeting with team owner/president/general manager Jerry Jones. Jones thought that the result of the meeting was a handshake agreement on a contract extension that would’ve netted Parsons $150MM of guaranteed money. Parsons had a different view of the meeting, which he claimed was focused on leadership.
“Nah, obviously he wants to know where I’m at, what I think,” Parsons responded when asked last week if he viewed the meeting as a negotiation, per ESPN’s Todd Archer and Dan Graziano. “I’m thinking, ‘He wants to know where I’m at with the process,’ and that’s what I thought. Obviously, none of that matters now. I’m (in Green Bay).”
Following the meeting, Parsons came back to the table asking executive vice president — and son of the owner — Stephen Jones for more money. The younger Jones took the request to his father and, reportedly, convinced the general manager to increase the offer. Then — according to a report from Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News that contradicts previous reports claiming that Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, never laid eyes on the handshake offer — team officials sent the increased proposal to Mulugheta, and the agent rejected it.
Watkins adds how, at the time, officials with the NFL Players Association explored the idea of discussing Jones’ tactics of cornering players without their agents with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Ultimately, no action was taken, considering the Collective Bargaining Agreement doesn’t forbid owners or general managers from negotiating directly with players, as long as a certified agent is present to finalize a deal with the team.
The reason the NFLPA was concerned was based on this not being the first instance of Jones and his son cornering players without their lawyers. The two defend the tactic, claiming that agents are impartial third parties that may not be around the player for very long, so their goals may not align with the long-term vision of the player like the owner’s might. They contend that the conversations go beyond the numbers, something that Parsons’ former teammate, quarterback Dak Prescott, can attest to with fond memories.
In reality, from the outside, it looks like the Joneses are attempting to utilize a familiarity and fondness with the player to earn more favorable teams for themselves with a potential hometown discount for an agreement. Also, by cutting out the agent, Jones removes a person knowledgeable on all aspects of a contract and its negotiation. As Parsons’ agent framed it, Parsons is an All-Pro defender in the NFL, and it’s unreasonable to expect him to also be an expert contract attorney.
The Joneses defend themselves, claiming that they will only proceed with the negotiations as long as the player is comfortable with it, but it requires them to ask. They say that those players are willing to discuss visions of their future with the team and what that looks like, but once numbers start getting thrown around the players will defer to their agent on those details. Still, negotiating any aspect of a contract without someone fully knowledgeable on the topic, is a bad look in the eyes of many players and agents.
The result of the incidental meeting was a trade request. First, Dallas called the Jets, checking in on the availability of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Green Bay and Miami were thought to be potential destinations, but the Cowboys looked also at Denver, whose head coach Sean Payton had worked with the team as a Cowboys assistant coach years ago. When Payton didn’t make an offer and a call from the Eagles’ was quickly nixed because of their divisional relation, the Packers emerged as the winner of the sweepstakes.
Parsons reportedly knew his days in Dallas were coming to an end when the team called on him to attend a treatment session on his ailing back. Parsons informed the team that he would need to reschedule, and the Cowboys threatened to fine him if he failed to attend. Two days later, he was headed to Green Bay.
At the start of it all, Mulugheta was seeking a $200MM deal for his star client. The Packers, after giving up defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks, continued to invest in Parsons with a four-year, $188MM extension. Both teams had early letdowns last week with the Cowboys getting blown out in Chicago and the Pack losing to the lowly Browns. While tons of focus will be centered on Parsons, both teams will be looking towards this week’s game as an opportunity to move on in multiple ways.
