Several Green Bay Packers players missed Thursday’s practice. Most of these players had earned their veteran rest day. Running back Josh Jacobs was sidelined due to a groin injury.
Jacobs, of course, signed with the Packers this summer. The former Las Vegas Raiders running back signed a four-year $48 million contract with Green Bay, but only the 2024 season is guaranteed. He is coming off a disappointing season in 2023, in which he carried for 805 yards and averaged 3.5 yards per carry, both career lows.
The 2022 NFL rushing leader missed the final four games of the season with a quad injury.
Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Releases Statement About Missing Practice
After practice on Thursday, Jacobs was asked if his ailment will force him to miss time. He told reporters that if it had been the regular season, he would have taken the field without hesitation.
Green Bay has been in training camp for almost a week, so there is no reason to risk significant injury, especially to one of their greatest players and premier running backs.
Indeed, Jacobs will undoubtedly be Green Bay’s offensive backfield starter. However, the battle over who will stand behind him is quite entertaining to watch.
Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon Is Fighting for His Job
Of course, the Packers signed Jacobs to replace Aaron Jones, who was cut just hours after signing the 2022 rushing champion. Jones did not want to take another pay cut and has since signed with the Vikings.
In addition to signing Jacobs, the Packers re-signed AJ Dillon, who had the worst season of his career last year. Despite receiving higher offers from other teams, Dillon accepted a very team-friendly deal to continue with the team that drafted him in 2020.
Dillon is allegedly in the finest form of his life, and he has the extra advantage of having been Green Bay’s backup running back in each of the previous three seasons.
However, the backup job is not simply provided to him. Green Bay still possesses Emanuel Wilson, who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent last season. They also selected Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of this year’s NFL draft.
There is no clear favorite to win the battle for the backup running back position, so preseason games will be crucial for all three.
Wilson was the NFL’s preseason running leader last season, which helped him make the club in the first place.
