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Tuesday was the Green Bay Packers’ third and final open practice of OTAs, and the first of those practices visible to the public since head coach Matt LaFleur tore his Achilles tendon playing basketball last week. That meant that fans got their first look at the coach leading practice from his golf cart, as he was zooming around the field and observing drills from afar following his surgery on Sunday.
One bit of good news for LaFleur is that it is his left Achilles tendon that was torn, which means that his right foot is free to operate the pedals on his golf cart (and presumably his own car as well, provided it is not a manual transmission). Here’s LaFleur hanging out with general manager Brian Gutekunst during practice:
#Packers coach Matt LaFleur, left leg up, riding his golf cart around Hinkle Field with GM Brian Gutekunst sitting shotgun. pic.twitter.com/oawd0l7yHV
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 4, 2019
Check out LaFleur and his propped-up leg from a reverse angle:
That’s injured head coach Matt LaFleur in a golf cart with his leg elevated at #Packers OTA today. Had surgery on his Achilles on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/xkco6m354C
— Mike Spofford (@mikespofford) June 4, 2019
When talking to the media after practice, however, LaFleur was up and around on a three-wheeled scooter instead, providing him a little more mobility in and around the throng of reporters:
For his press conference, #Packers HC Matt LaFleur went with a sportier model. pic.twitter.com/4ff1EmcZyz
— Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) June 4, 2019
In that presser, however, LaFleur said that he expects to be keeping weight off his leg for four weeks after surgery. That time frame would put him back up and around in early July, which could mean he is back on his feet — likely still hobbled somewhat, but putting weight on his leg — in time for the start of training camp on July 25th. Come week one, though? He expects to be full-go on the sideline.
Even with the cart, however, LaFleur has apparently found a way to keep interacting with his players during practice, particularly on offense. Wide receiver Davante Adams spoke after the Packers’ charity softball game on Saturday and said via Packersnews.com that LaFleur was just as involved as ever:
“He was out there on his golf cart the other day so he was still pretty mobile,” Adams said. “He was still rolling up next to me and coaching up and doing the same things. I don’t think it’s really going to stop him too much from the way he kind of does things. He’s always around. And it’s a good thing. It’s a good way to get a feel for the type of guy he is.”
Hopefully LaFleur does not have any setbacks and is able to be back on two feet at the start of camp.