Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd will miss at least four games after being placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. Lloyd, a third-round draft pick, injured his ankle during the second half of the Packers’ 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, marking another setback in what has been a challenging start to his NFL career.
Lloyd’s misfortune with injuries has been a recurring theme since training camp. He first injured his hip at the start of camp, followed by a hamstring injury during his second touch in the preseason opener. Now, the rookie is sidelined again due to his ankle injury in his regular-season debut.
Despite a promising start in the game against the Colts, Lloyd’s stats were limited. He carried the ball six times for 15 yards and caught one pass for three yards. He had an explosive run in the first half, but it was negated by a holding penalty, further diminishing his impact on the game.
As a result of his placement on injured reserve, Lloyd will miss the Packers’ upcoming games against the Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, and Arizona Cardinals. He will not be eligible to return until the Packers’ October 20th game against the Houston Texans.
In Lloyd’s absence, second-year running back Emanuel Wilson will step into the role of the primary backup behind veteran starter Josh Jacobs. Wilson has shown some potential over the first two games of the season, rushing nine times for 55 yards and catching two passes for two yards. Notably, Wilson had a couple of runs exceeding 10 yards in the season opener, offering a glimpse of his ability to contribute in the running game.
To fill the roster vacancy left by Lloyd’s injury, the Packers signed running back Chris Brooks from the practice squad. Brooks, a former Miami Dolphin, rushed 19 times for 106 yards over four games in his rookie season last year. He joined the Packers’ practice squad earlier this month, on September 3rd, and now has the opportunity to prove himself at the NFL level.
Brooks brings experience and depth to the Packers’ running back corps at a crucial time. His performance in limited action with the Dolphins showed flashes of promise, and now with a chance on the Packers’ active roster, he’ll aim to contribute as a backup behind Jacobs and Wilson.
The Packers will need to rely on their depth at running back while they weather the absence of Lloyd, who was expected to play a key role this season. The team remains hopeful that Lloyd can return to full health and contribute after his four-game absence, but until then, they will have to adapt and adjust to the loss of one of their key draft picks.
The Packers’ 16-10 win over the Colts was a hard-fought victory, and while Lloyd’s injury is a setback, the team remains focused on moving forward. With games against tough opponents like the Titans, Vikings, Rams, and Cardinals on the horizon, the Packers will need contributions from all levels of the roster to continue their winning ways.
The road to recovery for Lloyd will be closely watched, as the Packers aim to get their promising rookie back on the field later in the season. Until then, it will be up to Wilson, Brooks, and the rest of the running back unit to step up and carry the load in the Packers’ ground attack.