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HC Matt LaFleur Admits Clear Packers Mistake in Week 3 vs. Browns

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — After a 10–13 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, the Green Bay Packers were left not only ruing missed chances but also confronting tough questions about their injury-risk management. The decision to activate and play two returning offensive-line pillars — tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and guard Aaron Banks (groin/ankle) — backfired: Tom re-aggravated his oblique on the very first snap, and Banks exited soon after with a different groin issue.

The ripple effects forced the Packers to lean on young reserves against Cleveland’s renowned front. Jordan Love was sacked five times, the offense was boxed into quick-game concepts, lacked time for deeper route development, and rarely found rhythm.

At his postgame press conference, head coach Matt LaFleur accepted responsibility and stood by a frank assessment of the decision-making misstep:
I acknowledge we were wrong to put them out there too soon. Medical-room tests and a couple of light practices can’t simulate live-game intensity; we ramped them back too quickly, underestimated the risk of re-injury, and didn’t protect the group well enough. If a player takes one snap and is out, that’s a sign our decision-making process has a problem — and we have to fix it now.

According to team sources, the staff and medical group will review the entire pregame ramp-up process — from defining “game-ready” criteria and limiting snaps for first games back, to installing reinforced protection packages (max protect, chip help, slide) to better shield the offense when key pieces aren’t at 100%. The Packers may also consider adding a veteran OL short-term to ease the burden on Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton in the coming weeks.

With a challenging schedule ahead, LaFleur’s message is clear: prioritize long-term health and team sustainability over week-to-week gamble decisions. The costly lesson in Cleveland demands immediate adjustments if the Packers want to avoid the double hit of losing players and losing games.

Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”