On Friday, following Day 1 of rookie minicamp, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur explained how he suffered a painful injury this offseason. LaFleur was spotted wearing a sling during the 2024 NFL Draft last week.
WAIT WHAT HAPPENED TO MATT'S ARM 😰 pic.twitter.com/SdQqQ9jB8K
— Big B (@bigpackers4x) April 27, 2024
Matt LaFleur has a history of injury
LaFleur is no stranger to coaching while hurt. He famously coached the 2019 season after tearing his Achilles playing basketball in the spring. The Packers didn’t do too poorly that season, as they finished the season with a 13-3 record.
The Packers have high expectations for the upcoming season. They made the Divisional Round with the league’s youngest roster in January. LaFleur’s injury this spring shouldn’t jeopardize their season, but it’ll be an adjustment for the coach heading into his sixth season in Green Bay.
LaFleur suffered a torn pec
According to Matt Schneidman with The Athletic, LaFleur said he suffered a torn pec by lifting weights:
“Got in a fight with the bench press. I lost,” LaFleur said.
https://twitter.com/mattschneidman/status/1786520319588475210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1786520319588475210%7Ctwgr%5Ea1b6443871af5077f4bea48bcca61acae87f7e33%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgridironheroics.com%2Fmatt-lafleur-injured-green-bay-packers-news%2F
Per Rob Demovsky with ESPN, LaFleur said it’s easier to coach with a torn pec than an Achilles injury. Either way, it’ll be a long spring until the injury finally heals.
Green Bay Packers and NFL fans react to the injury
Packers fans made many jokes after LaFleur addressed the injury. While two injuries in six years might be okay for a player, it’s very unusual for the head coach to have that happen.
I still think it was pickleball. Bench press sounds cooler. #menofacertainage
— Jeff Smith (@JeffSmithGBPack) May 3, 2024
"I gotta do a better job of putting my muscles in position to succeed" 😉
— The Gargoyle (@Fake_CH_Facts) May 3, 2024
First the acl and now this, he’s starting to sound injury-prone 😂
— IndexOfSuspicion ™️ (@IndexOfSus) May 3, 2024
Training staff back in mid season form
— WI vs. 🌎 (@bopackbo) May 3, 2024
😭😭😭😭😭 coach just can't catch a break. That iron will create warriors, but at the same time it will humble the baddest.
— ED 🧀🧀🧀 (@83Packerfan) May 3, 2024
