All good things must come to an end. The clock eventually strikes midnight on all "Cinderella" stories, and it can serve as a harsh reminder that football is a cruel business. There lies the beauty of sports, too, as anyone can rise to the top, steal the spotlight, and become a household name.
For 20 straight years, an undrafted free-agent rookie has made the Green Bay Packers' opening roster. However, one former success story may be in its final chapter.
With camp getting underway last week, running back Emanuel Wilson finds himself in a tough position.
Josh Jacobs is the unquestioned lead back. Green Bay spent a third-round pick on MarShawn Lloyd in 2024, but he would only appear in one regular-season game, as injuries and bad luck prematurely ended his rookie campaign. While initially healthy and thriving in Packers camp, Lloyd did suffer a groin injury, although Jacobs revealed it's not a long-term concern.
Should Lloyd be OK and not miss much time, it would leave a competition between Chris Brooks and Wilson for the likely final RB slot on the initial 53-man squad. Brooks has gotten some work with the first-team offense, mostly in passing situations, while Wilson has seemed "stuck" working with the twos.
Emanuel Wilson could surprisingly miss out on the Packers' 53-man roster
It is early in camp, and the Lloyd injury situation could certainly cloud things.
Wilson took Packers fans by storm in the 2023 preseason. He made the initial roster, serving as the third back to go with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. In 2023, he appeared in seven games, logging over 100 total yards before landing on injured reserve for a brief stint. In 2024, after the season-ending injury to AJ Dillon and eventually MarShawn Lloyd, Wilson found himself in a bigger role.
He gathered 103 carries, racking up 502 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 48 yards and an additional touchdown.
However, as the season went on, Wilson found himself splitting the RB2 duties with Brooks, who had the same thundering style of running, and became an immediate force as a pass protector for Jordan Love.
Wilson is the definition of a "gamer." He runs hard and has shown big-play ability with nearly every opportunity. Still, he faces uncertainty over his future with the team. A healthy running back room could mean the end of a fun chapter in Packers history.