Inside the Don Hutson Center on Tuesday, rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd was seen pedaling a stationary bike while the rest of the Green Bay Packers headed out to Clarke Hinkle Field for their final practice of the week before departing for Friday night’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
Unlike Sunday and Monday, when Lloyd at least participated in individual drills during the portions of practice open to reporters, he was the only member of the 70-man roster not to take the field at the start of Tuesday’s practice.
Did Lloyd’s hamstring injury take a turn for the worse?
Coach Matt LaFleur is expected to provide an update following Tuesday’s practice and release the first injury report of the week. Additional injury reports will be issued on Wednesday, as the team travels to São Paulo, and Thursday, when they’ll conduct a walk-through in Brazil the day before the game.
“I feel pretty good. We’re just taking it day by day,” Lloyd commented after Monday’s practice.
Lloyd initially injured his hamstring during his second carry in the preseason opener against Cleveland. He missed the final two preseason games and did not practice for the remainder of training camp.
Is Lloyd ready to go against the Eagles?
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” he said. “I’m taking it day by day. I’d love to play, but we’ve got to be smart and see how things unfold. It’s not my decision – I wish it was. If it were up to me, I’d have been back at practice a week-and-a-half ago. So, I’m just taking it step by step. It’s a long season, so I’ll be ready whenever my number is called.”
Will Lloyd suit up against the Eagles?
If so, his explosive speed would complement Josh Jacobs’ power running.
If not, the Packers might need to make a roster move at running back before the game. With AJ Dillon on injured reserve, the only other running backs on the 53-man roster are Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson. The practice squad features Ellis Merriweather, who joined in November and shined in the preseason finale against the Ravens, and La’Mical Perine, who was signed just this week.
LaFleur typically avoids relying heavily on a single back, but that might have to change against the Eagles.
Fortunately, he has Jacobs. In five seasons, Jacobs has accumulated 1,305 carries and 1,502 touches—an average of 300 per season. By comparison, Aaron Jones never had 300 touches in a season during his seven years with the Packers.
“I’m definitely excited to showcase that,” Jacobs said of his versatility this week. “I’m grateful to be here, where they’ve allowed me to show what I can do. Coach trusts me to make plays, and thankfully, I’ve been doing that in practice. So, it makes it a little easier to perform when game time comes.
“For me, it’s a great opportunity. Every day, I try to earn the respect of my teammates and coaches. There’s no better way to do that than in a game. Hopefully, it turns out well.”
