For the first time in a few years, the Green Bay Packers enter the regular season with some uncertainty surrounding the running back position. After a full training camp and three preseason games, the team may need to look elsewhere for some help.
Currently, the Packers seem to be preparing for running back Josh Jacobs to be on the team and likely to play in Week 1. Earlier this week, Jacobs was charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
Following the team's 42-38 win over the Arizona Cardinals to mark the end of the preseason, Matt LaFleur spoke about Jacobs' status.
"I fully anticipate him being a member of our team," LaFleur said. "I think you have to let everything play out, but I anticipate him being a member of our football team."
The Packers may need to look elsewhere for help at running back
Behind Jacobs is backup MarShawn Lloyd, who certainly possesses the skills and traits to be an above-average running back in the NFL, but he has not proven he can stay healthy long enough to just yet. Behind Lloyd is...well, not a ton of great options.
Current running backs on the team include Chris Brooks, Pierre Strong Jr., Jaden Nixon, and Damien Martinez.
Of those, Brooks seems the most likely to be the third-string running back when roster cuts are all said and done, but he has not played well enough during his tenure with the team to inspire much confidence if he suddenly has to get a huge uptick in playing time. With that in mind, the best plan moving forward is for the team to look for help elsewhere in the NFL.
The free-agent market isn't exactly teeming with options, but the Packers could get some help in the trade market from teams who might be looking to acquire anything in return for players who are on the fringe of their own roster decisions.
Players like Tyrone Tracy Jr., James Conner, and more are all rumored to be available heading into the final few days before teams need to trim their rosters down to the mandatory 53-man number.
The problem here, though, is that it would cost some draft capital. An incoming running back would also eat into Lloyd's playing time if another back of his caliber were brought in.
One thing is for certain, though, and it's that the Packers could definitely use some help at running back in one way or another. With just a few days left to really address it, though, it remains to be seen if they can.
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