Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs received positive news regarding his knee injury, which forced him to leave the game against the New York Giants last Sunday. Coach Matt LaFleur announced on Monday that Jacobs will not need to be placed on injured reserve, and there is a possibility he could be ready for the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings.
LaFleur mentioned, “We”ll see where it”s at. It”s a contusion, so it”s just more or less trying to get the swelling down.” He acknowledged the hard surface of the field could have contributed to the injury. Jacobs sustained the injury during the first quarter when he was knocked out of bounds by Jevon Holland. Although he initially continued, he soon showed visible signs of pain and retreated to the locker room after rushing for 40 yards on seven carries.
In Jacobs” absence, LaFleur commended the performances of running backs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. Wilson matched his season-high with 11 carries, accumulating 40 yards and scoring a touchdown. He also caught a crucial two-point conversion pass after the Packers took the lead with just over four minutes remaining in the game, which ended with a 27-20 victory for Green Bay.
Brooks contributed with one carry for eight yards, but his essential role in pass protection was highlighted by LaFleur. Brooks helped facilitate a key 33-yard completion from quarterback Jordan Love to Savion Williams on a third-and-10 situation late in the fourth quarter, setting up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Love to Christian Watson that secured the win.
LaFleur expressed confidence in both Wilson and Brooks, stating, “If called upon, I have confidence that they”re going to get the job done.” Jacobs, who is 27 years old, has made a significant impact this season with 648 rushing yards on 169 carries, boasting 11 touchdown runs, which places him second in the league in that category, just behind Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, who has 15 touchdowns.
Last season, Jacobs had a stellar performance in his first year with the Packers, rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning his third Pro Bowl selection. Prior to joining Green Bay, he spent five seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, where he led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022 and earned All-Pro honors.
