AJ Dillon injury throws potential curveball into Packers' roster cuts

When AJ Dillon sat out of the Green Bay Packers' preseason game against the Denver Broncos, the assumption was that his roster spot was safe. Matt LaFleur held out most of the starters from that game, so Dillon's absence only made sense if he was dealing with an injury or had already secured a spot on the 53-man roster.

It turns out it was the former.

Dillon is dealing with a stinger, which is the same injury that kept him out of the Packers' final three games last season.

"We're still kind of waiting. It's a wait-and-see," said LaFleur. "We're waiting for a couple more opinions to come back."

Earlier in the week, LaFleur said there's always concern with a repeat injury, but they were being "cautious" and wanted to "gather all the information" before allowing him to play.

Dillon likely won't play in the Packers' preseason finale, raising questions about the Packers' running back decisions on the 53-man roster.

Packers roster cuts further complicated by injuries to AJ Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd

Not only is Dillon dealing with a neck injury, but rookie MarShawn Lloyd is still sidelined with a hamstring issue. It's unclear when either player will be cleared to return.

In Lloyd's case, he is a roster lock when healthy. If his hamstring issue is a more long-term concern, the Packers have the option to place him on injured reserve with the intention of bringing him back.

It's a different story for Dillon, who has faced competition from second-year Emanuel Wilson this summer. Dillon signed a team-friendly extension in the offseason, a sign the Packers weren't making a long-term commitment to their former second-round pick.

The Packers could place Dillon on injured reserve if they believe he could miss time in the regular season. It would open the door for Wilson to make the roster and prove why he deserves to be the Packers' second or third running back.

Wilson is next up and deserves an opportunity after an impressive summer. He has led the way in both preseason games, rushing for 108 yards and a touchdown at 4.2 yards per attempt.

Behind Wilson, the Packers lack depth. Jarveon Howard and Ellis Merriweather have combined for 69 yards from 18 attempts in the preseason.

Dillon struggled with his only preseason action, rushing for just two yards on four carries in the Packers' opener against the Cleveland Browns. He sat out of last week's contest and hasn't practiced this week.

All options are still in play. Dillon has a good chance of making the 53-man roster, but the Packers could still move on or even place him on injured reserve. His injury adds uncertainty to the team's running back situation, with roster cutdowns just days away.

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