First Packers injury report for Week 1 creates a major running back concern
Green Bay Packers football is back, which means the return of the dreaded injury report.
It's not all bad. Head coach Matt LaFleur said this is one of the healthiest teams the Packers have had since he arrived five years ago. However, the concern is at running back, with Green Bay's season opener in Brazil just three days away.
Running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson are on the Week 1 injury report. Lloyd is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Wilson has joined the injury list due to a hip issue. Wilson practiced, but the Packers held Lloyd out.
Five players are on the Packers' first injury report of the season, including wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Player | Position | Injury | Tue. | Wed. | Thu. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Edgerrin Cooper | LB | Groin | LP | ||
Romeo Doubs | WR | Hand | LP | ||
Carrington Valentine | CB | Hamstring | LP | ||
Emanuel Wilson | RB | Hip | LP | ||
MarShawn Lloyd | RB | Hamstring | DNP |
Packers left with concerns at running back entering Week 1 vs. Eagles
The Packers have already lost AJ Dillon for the season. Now, they could be without their two backup running backs ahead of the season opener.
Lloyd's status is more concerning. He suffered a hamstring injury in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns and is still not at 100 percent. He is close to returning, but it's unlikely he will feature much, if at all, on Friday night.
"It's not my call. I wish it was my call," Lloyd said. "If it was my call, I would've been back at practice a week and a half ago."
LaFleur confirmed that Lloyd hadn't suffered a setback and his absence was part of the plan.
Wilson practiced, which is a more promising sign, but it doesn't help that the team has to take a long-distance flight ahead of the season opener.
If Lloyd and Wilson are unable to go against the Eagles, Josh Jacobs would be the only healthy running back on the 53-man roster. Green Bay would need to call up Ellis Merriweather or La'Mical Perine from the practice squad.
The Packers began the summer with excellent running back depth. Having lost Dillon for the year and Lloyd for most of the preseason, that depth will be tested. Jacobs will take most of the carries, but Green Bay needs adequate backup to make Philadelphia respect the run game.
Hopefully, the Packers are just being cautious ahead of the season opener, but it's something to monitor closely ahead of Friday's game in Brazil.
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