The Green Bay Packers will need everyone on the roster to play up to their maximum potential if they are going to pull off a victory against Bo Nix and the 11-2 Denver Broncos in Week 15, and having running back Josh Jacobs ready to go would be a major advantage for them.
Jacobs has been working through various ailments, including a knee injury, for the last few weeks. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is making it seem as though Green Bay is going to prepare for Denver without the services of their best offensive skill position player.
LaFleur said that Jacobs is "battling through" a knee injury and that his status could be up in the air for Week 15 against the Broncos if he isn't able to get back on track. Suiting up against this defense without Jacobs in tow could make life hard on Love.
Packers may be without RB Josh Jacobs in Week 15 vs. Broncos
Jacobs isn't having as good a season as he put together in 2024, but the former Raiders first-round pick has amassed 817 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns on the campaign. Jacobs has recorded at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in all seven of his NFL seasons.
While Emanuel Wilson has proven to be a capable backup running back when called into action, it is clear that Green Bay is a provably worse team when he is in the lineup instead of Jacobs. This is not the opponent for Jacobs to sit out agains, especially considering the state of the NFC North.
The Broncos have won 10 straight games, possess one of the best pass rushes in recent NFL history, and have the good fortune of playing against a Packers offensive line that is dealing with injuries and uneven play. Love will have a very tough time winning this game with his arm alone.
Green Bay may get Jacobs back for this game, but his health likely means that it will be a very limited version of him if he does suit up. This points to a matchup against the Broncos that is tilting more towards Denver with every passing injury update.