Packers DE Lukas Van Ness breaks thumb during OTAs

Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness, the team’s first rounder in 2023, broke the tip of his thumb and isn’t working out with the team during OTAs.

Reporters who cover the Packers noticed Wednesday that Van Ness was working out with a group of injured players. After practice, Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur provided more information after the workouts.

“He broke his thumb a little bit. Just the tip,” LaFleur told reporters.

However, LaFleur didn’t give a timetable for his return. The injury doesn’t sound serious, but the Packers are converting from a 3-4 base defense to the 4-3. So OTAs and training camp are important to make sure the defense flows seamlessly once the regular starts in September.

Packers hired Jeff Hafley as DC with switch to 4-3

The Packers hired Jeff Hafley as their new defensive coordinator. He most recently was head coach at Boston College. Before that, he was the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State. But he does have NFL experience, coaching defensive backs at Tampa Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco.

In addition, Jason Rebrovich is the new defensive line coach. He’s been with the Packers for the past two seasons, most recently working with the pass-rushing specialists.

And Van Ness will be a player in plans for the Packers defense. Green Bay selected him with the 12th pick of last year’s first round of the NFL Draft. In the regular season, Van Ness sacked the quarterback four times, eight tackles for loss. He also posted one PBU and 10 quarterback hits. Then, in the Packers’ shocking win over the Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs, Van Ness sacked Dak Prescott.

In the 3-4, Van Ness was a standup linebacker. He’ll still be coming off the edge as a defensive end, but he’ll have his hand in the dirt.

Three other Packers players missed Wednesday’s practice. However, LaFleur said Preston Smith, Rashan Gary and Elgton Jenkins were planned absences.