Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness he returned to the practice field for OTAs on Tuesday after a brief absence from the off-season training program due to a minor thumb injury.
Last week, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Van Ness broke “just the tip” of his thumb. He missed at least one training session open to the media.
On Tuesday, it seemed like Van Ness had his hand in some kind of protective wrapping.
Lukas Van Ness actually exercises #Packers pic.twitter.com/glyWcwugOm
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) June 4, 2024
The fact that Van Ness was able to practice without a huge protective bandage – which is often the case with broken fingers and thumbs – is a good sign considering the injury is minor.
The Packers also brought veterans Rashan Gary and Preston Smith to OTAs on Tuesday, so the edge rush group was almost at full strength as the offseason training program came to an end.
Van Ness, 13th overall in the 2023 draft, recorded 4.0 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss in 17 regular-season games and 365 snaps as a rookie. In 2024, he’s expected to make a sophomore leap – both in terms of production and appearances – while playing more defensively.
The Packers will hold one more OTA on Thursday, June 6, after which a mandatory three-day minicamp will begin on June 11 and run through June 13.
