Packers should be cautious with Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams injuries

Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams have both been sidelined with injuries, and the Green Bay Packers are right to be cautious.

Hamstring injuries can be frustrating. Just when you think you’re fully healthy and ready to go, it can turn out to be too soon, leading to re-injury. Both Jones and Williams are out with hamstring injuries, and the Packers should keep them out of Thursday’s preseason game as a result.

Both players missed Friday’s Family Night Scrimmage, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Demovsky noted earlier in the week that Jones is dealing with “hamstring tightness”, which isn’t as bad as Williams’ hamstring injury.

Even if Jones’ injury isn’t serious and he’s close to 100 percent this week, the Packers shouldn’t risk rushing him back too early, even if that means missing a preseason game or two.

Jones, the yards-per-carry leader in the NFL last season, is far too important to Matt LaFleur’s offense to risk a serious injury before the games count in the regular season standings. And the good news is that so far, the Packers have been cautious with both players.

What the injuries to Jones and Williams means is that Dexter Williams and Corey Grant have the opportunity to step up. That’s not a concern for Jones, who will have a featured role in the Packers offense. But if either Dexter Williams or Grant plays well, could it lead to fewer snaps for Jamaal Williams?

Time will tell. But for now, the number one priority is for Jones and Williams to get back to 100 percent. Every practice missed is important, especially as they adjust to a new offense, but the Packers need their top two running backs to be healthy for Week 1 up against an elite Chicago Bears defense.

The Packers shouldn’t take any risks this week. Even if they’re ready to return to practice, both players should sit out of Thursday’s exhibition game against the Houston Texans.