Packers place Aaron Jones on injured reserve, per report

Aaron Jones’ season is officially over.

After exiting Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury, the Green Bay Packers have placed Aaron Jones on injured reserve, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

And the move makes sense. The Packers are officially eliminated from playoff contention, so it wouldn’t be worth risking a long-term injury to Jones by rushing him back, even if he makes a quick recovery.

While not good news for fantasy owners counting on Jones to help them win a championship this week, it’s the right move for the Packers.

Jones will be one of the team’s most important players on offense moving forward, so it’s no surprise his season is over.

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Also according to Pelissero, the Packers have signed wide receiver Allen Lazard from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. Lazard could see some game time in the final two weeks and compete for a spot on the roster next summer.

It’s disappointing for Jones to have his season cut short. Had he played the full game against Chicago and not got hurt, there’s a chance he could have hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark on the year. He needed another 272 yards from three games.

But this was a great season for the second-year running back. In 12 games, Jones rushed for 728 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry. Entering Week 16, that’s a league-high average.

Jones was used more in the passing game this year, adding 206 receiving yards and a touchdown. I’d like to see him get more opportunities as a receiver next season.

The hope is the next head coach will give Jones more carries, too. When he’s on the field, the Packers are a better football team.

Staying healthy will be the biggest key for Jones next season. If he plays all 16 games and is given a featured role, there’s no reason why he can’t finish in the top five for rushing yards in 2019.