Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness sat out Wednesday’s session with a back injury as the Green Bay Packers opened preparations for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Packers conducted only a jog-through practice, making the participation figures estimates rather than full workout assessments. Van Ness was listed as a non-participant, a new designation after he played through Sunday’s 45-27 win over the New England Patriots without any obvious issue on the field.
Through nine games the 25-year-old has recorded 4.5 sacks, 34 tackles, six tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits. Those numbers lead the team in sacks and rank among the top production totals from the edge group this season.
He has started for the first time in his career after arriving as a first-round pick out of Iowa in 2023.
Van Ness logged 32 of the Packers’ 63 defensive snaps against the Patriots and finished with one tackle. No specific moment of injury was flagged during the contest, leaving the timing and severity of the back issue unclear heading into the rest of the week.
The Wednesday report also showed five other players unable to take part: safety Javon Bullard (ankle/knee), linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin), center Sean Rhyan (ankle), tight end Josh Whyle (concussion) and running back Josh Jacobs (finger).
In total, 16 players appeared on the initial injury list, the longest of the season so far.
Micah Parsons practiced on a limited basis with a knee issue and illness. The four-time All-Pro remains on the physically unable to perform list but has not been ruled out for Sunday.
If Van Ness cannot go, the Packers would lean more heavily on Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr. and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton, a rotation that has already split snaps fairly evenly at times this year.
Green Bay lost the season opener to Minnesota in September, so the rematch carries extra weight in the NFC North race.
Van Ness has dealt with other ailments earlier in 2026, including a shoulder problem and a brief concussion, but nothing matching a back injury that kept him from even a light session.
Players frequently return for games after missing only the first estimated practice of the week, particularly when the session is limited to a jog-through. Still, the absence removes one of the team’s most productive pass rushers from the initial work and leaves questions about his availability until Thursday and Friday reports arrive.
The Packers will continue to monitor the situation over the next two days. No official game-status designation has been issued yet, and further details on the nature of the back issue have not been released by the team or the player.
Van Ness entered the league with high expectations after a strong college career at Iowa and has steadily increased his role. His sack total already exceeds what he produced in any previous full season, underscoring why his status draws attention ahead of a key divisional contest.
Additional players listed as limited on Wednesday included guard Aaron Banks (knee/hip), running back Chris Brooks (ankle), offensive lineman Travis Glover (knee), linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (illness), wide receiver Skyy Moore (ankle), kicker Trey Smack (right calf), wide receiver Savion Williams (groin) and guard Kevin Zeitler (ankle). Wide receiver Bo Melton participated fully while completing a gameday concussion protocol evaluation.
The combination of a new injury for Van Ness and the overall length of the report gives the Packers several variables to sort out before facing the Vikings. Depth along the defensive line offers some cushion, but losing the team’s sack leader for any stretch would test that group against a division rival.
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