Josh Jacobs missed practice on Thursday due to a groin injury. Fortunately, it isn't believed to be "anything concerning," per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, but it should serve as a warning for the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers' running back depth has been a concern from the moment they let Emanuel Wilson walk without replacing him.
Chris Brooks has missed the first week of training camp. He remains on the non-football injury list. With Jacobs out, it leaves the Packers with MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. as the top two running backs available.
Lloyd has remained healthy throughout camp so far, which is encouraging, but caution is required, as he's missed all but one game in two years.
Although Jacobs and Brooks shouldn't miss much time, the Packers need to keep the door open for a potential running back addition.
Packers can't afford to get complacent at running back despite Josh Jacobs avoiding a long-term injury
What is the Packers' plan if Jacobs has to miss any time this season?
Emanuel Wilson stepped into the RB1 role last year, carrying the ball 125 times for 496 yards and three touchdowns. Jacobs and Wilson accounted for almost 73 percent of the Packers' rushing attempts. Jordan Love had the third-most carries on the team and almost twice as many as Brooks.
Lloyd has sky-high potential as the RB2 next to Jacobs. He could be one of the Packers' breakout stars this season with – all 10 fingers crossed – some better injury luck. But his skill set makes him best suited as the change-of-pace back to punish tired defenses, the lightning to Jacobs' thunder. Is Lloyd ready to be the focal point of the rushing attack, if needed?
What about Brooks? Could he be this year's Wilson? Maybe, but he has only touched the ball more than nine times in a game once.
Thankfully, Jacobs' groin issue isn't expected to be a long-term concern. That's the good news. But it's a reminder to the Packers that they need a Plan B if their RB1 misses time, and that could mean adding to the backfield before Week 1.
Adding another running back should still be on the Packers' radar
The Packers clearly believe Lloyd can stay healthy. So far, so good. That's huge. Getting Jacobs and Brooks back from injury will give Green Bay a solid 1-2-3 punch. But it would still make sense to keep the door open for a potential addition.
It's why a trade for Trey Benson could make so much sense.
Benson is unlikely to get many opportunities in the Arizona Cardinals' offense this season while sitting behind third overall pick Jeremiyah Love, free-agent addition Tyler Allgeier, and veteran James Conner.
Talk about a perfect fit for Matt LaFleur's offense. Benson is 6-foot, 220 pounds with the power to break tackles and fight for extra yards. That's what Jacobs does so well, and something the Packers lost with Wilson's exit.
According to Pro Football Focus, Benson averaged 3.59 yards per carry after contact last season. That's higher than Jacobs's career-best average of 3.49, which he achieved in 2024. The smaller sample size needs to be factored in, as Benson only carried the ball 29 times, but it's impressive nonetheless.
And despite only rushing 29 times, Benson still forced 10 missed tackles.
He also has home-run speed, having clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine two years ago.
The Packers like Brooks, but Benson would give them an upgrade at the position. They would also boast strong depth, making them capable of handling an injury.
That's the key part. Jacobs shouldn't miss much time, while Brooks' return isn't far away. But it's still a harsh reminder for Green Bay. One injury, especially to Jacobs, could expose the offense's lack of running back depth.
Adding a running back before Week 1 should be on the Packers' mind.
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