Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Luke Musgrave has a “serious” ankle injury and will “most likely” go on injured reserve, although the team is hopeful Musgrave will return this season.
“He’s dealing with something and struggling, so he’s going to be depressed for a while,” LaFleur said Thursday.
Musgrave did not practice last week but was busy as an emergency option for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. He then practiced on a circumscribed basis on Wednesday before missing Thursday’s practice.
LaFleur said Musgrave’s ability to fight through a significant injury is a testament to his “toughness” and “competitiveness,” but he also acknowledged that the Packers initially didn’t realize the severity of the ankle injury.
“I don’t think we understood how serious the situation was,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur said the “hope” is that Musgrave will return and play again this season.
In four games, Musgrave caught five passes.
This will be Musgrave’s second time in two seasons on injured reserve. Last November, he suffered kidney damage and missed six games.
Without Musgrave, the Packers will move forward and Tucker Kraft and Ben Sims will be at a disadvantage. Kraft looks like a blooming star. LaFleur said Sims “has done a good job” in his role and believes he can make plays in the passing game while also serving as a built-in blocker.
John FitzPatrick, who is leaving the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, will also join the team.
“Bigger, wider body. I heard he’s a great guy. “We are excited to be here,” LaFleur said.
Going on injured reserve will mean Musgrave, a 2023 second-round draft pick, will miss at least four games, although it appears his absence will be longer than a month.
