Attention switches to the Denver Broncos this week, but in no time at all, the Green Bay Packers will again prepare for a massive showdown against the Chicago Bears. Green Bay meets Chicago for Round II in a little over a week under the Saturday night lights at Soldier Field.
The Bears will almost certainly plan to wear down the Packers' defense with a heavy dose of the run. Last week, they managed only 48 rushing yards on 13 attempts in the first half, but then adjusted and added 90 yards on 19 second-half carries.
Enter Lukas Van Ness.
The Packers' run defense has taken a hit following the loss of Devonte Wyatt, but Van Ness can help massively. He has barely played since suffering a serious foot injury in Week 6, but he is back on the practice field and nearing a return.
Lukas Van Ness' status for Broncos game is uncertain, but return to practice is good news with Bears on deck
Van Ness suffered the injury in the Week 6 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He attempted to return in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, but managed only six snaps.
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But he's back at practice, which is a positive step. While it may still be a long shot for him to play in Denver this week, he could have a chance to return in time for next week's trip to Soldier Field.
Van Ness had shown signs of a breakout season before getting hurt. According to Pro Football Focus, he generated 16 pressures in the opening five games of the season. For perspective, Rashan Gary only had one more in the same stretch.
The Packers had used Van Ness all over the field, including inside. His 69.6 PFF pass-rush grade still ranks second among Green Bay edge defenders, and his run defense grade is also second at the position.
Getting Van Ness back for the Bears game would be huge. Not only would he give them another option on the edge, which is potentially huge, considering Gary's up-and-down production, but he could also line up inside and make an impact against the run.
Van Ness might not be alone, either. Second-year running back MarShawn Lloyd has been practicing since the Packers activated his 21-day return window on December 1. It's unclear what his status is for this week's game against the Broncos, but again, with the practice window running down, we could see his return in Chicago.