When asked if running back Josh Jacobs, who was injured against the New York Giants on Sunday, would be going on the injured reserve during his Monday press conference, Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made the team’s stance clear: “No.” Previously, it had been reported that the Packers didn’t believe that Jacobs’ knee injury was going to be a season-ender, but Jacobs was going to have more testing done when the team arrived back in Green Bay.
LaFleur was then asked if Jacobs was going to
play this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings. LaFleur was much less committed to his answer on that one.
“Potentially, but we’ll see where he’s at. It’s a contusion, so it’s just, more or less, trying to get the swelling down. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty hard surface over there, sometimes a byproduct of that.”
You have to love the MetLife turf. Yesterday, Packers defensive tackle Warren Brinson gave his opinion about the playing surface in New Jersey.
Obviously, the next step of his conversation becomes: Who will be the Packers’ third running back if Jacobs can’t go against Minnesota? Green Bay almost always carries three running backs going into games, but the team only has three total backs on the 53-man roster, including Jacobs.
Would it be Pierre Strong Jr., a practice squad back who the team only signed in Week 7? Would it be MarShawn Lloyd, currently on the injured reserve, but has been ramping up his rehab on the sidelines in practice, per the press who have been attending practice over the last couple of weeks?
When asked if the Packers are hoping to open a 21-day practice window for an injured reserve this week, implying that Lloyd or receiver Jayden Reed could return to the field soon, LaFleur replied, “I sure as heck hope so.”
So don’t be shocked if Lloyd is back on the roster soon. It’ll make an interesting roster situation for Green Bay moving forward, as the Packers typically only roster three backs. Jacobs is the obvious starter. Chris Brooks is the special teams contributor and designated blocking back in the group. Could Lloyd’s return mean that Emanuel Wilson’s time could be done soon in Green Bay? If Lloyd shows something before Jacobs returns to the lineup, it’s a possibility.
Remember, Wilson is going to be a restricted free agent this offseason, so the Packers only have him under contract through the end of this season. It would cost $3.3 million to place a tender on Wilson next offseason, which Green Bay will almost certainly turn down. Meanwhile, Lloyd is under contract with the team through the 2027 season.
