Lukas Van Ness Clears Protocol Just in Time to Save the Packers' Defense from Another Meltdown

The Green Bay Packers just got a massive sigh of relief ahead of Sunday's trip to the Meadowlands, as EDGE rusher Lukas Van Ness has officially cleared concussion protocol. Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the former first-round pick is completely off the injury report and ready to go against the New York Jets.

Getting Van Ness back is the football equivalent of finding your wallet right before the waiter drops the check. Green Bay’s defense looked completely lost in their 39-22 Week 1 meltdown against the Minnesota Vikings, and heading into MetLife Stadium without one of their best young pass rushers was a recipe for disaster.

"Adam Schefter reported that Van Ness has cleared protocol and is off the injury report."

Van Ness was one of the few bright spots in that opening-week disaster class, logging four solo tackles and a sack before taking the hit that put him in protocol. Now, he gets to line up against a Jets offense that suddenly looks competent with Geno Smith under center and Frank Reich calling the plays.

The timing could not be better for Green Bay, especially since defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has already been ruled out with his own knee and concussion issues. Oddsmakers still have the Packers as 3.5-point road favorites, which feels like a line built entirely on the assumption that Green Bay cannot possibly play that badly two weeks in a row.

It is objectively hilarious that Van Ness, the guy drafted 13th overall with the exact pick Green Bay got for trading Aaron Rodgers to New York, is now the player tasked with ruining the Jets' home opener. The scriptwriters are not even trying to hide the recycling anymore.

With rain expected in New Jersey on Sunday, this game is probably going to turn into a sloppy, trench-warfare rock fight. Having a 272-pound edge setter back in the lineup gives the Packers a fighting chance to avoid an 0-2 start and a week of absolute panic on local sports radio.