GREEN BAY, Wis. — Unlike the jobs on the line at kicker, quarterback and the final few spots on the depth chart at wide receiver, the competition in the Green Bay Packers’ backfield is flying under the radar.
A room that once appeared solidified coming into training camp has been contorted every which way as the team navigates multiple injuries that may wind up altering the depth chart after Saturday’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
After the offseason program, Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon and third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd formed the three-headed backfield that the Packers would ideally carry into the regular season. However, Lloyd missed a chunk of training camp with a hip injury and then pulled his hamstring after his lone carry against the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago. To compound that, Dillon has been held out of practice for the past week-plus with a stinger—his second cervical issue in eight months—that the team’s medical staff is still gathering information about.
As a result, the Packers gained an opportunity to evaluate some of the other running backs on their roster. Emanuel Wilson, Ellis Merriweather and Nate McCrary have all handled the workload on the ground in each of the Packers’ last two games, but they punctuated the preseason on a high note with what they were able to do on Saturday.
“I thought all those runners ran extremely hard,” said head coach Matt LaFleur after the Packers’ 30-7 beatdown on the Ravens. “They ran physical and I thought there was much less hesitation in their play.”
The Packers finished with 193 team rushing yards, which was more than the Ravens had total yards (177). Merriweather ran 16 times for 74 yards, Wilson 11 times for 52 yards and McCrary 11 times for 64 yards. McCrary, who was signed by the Packers on Aug. 14 after spending last year’s preseason slate in Green Bay as well, accumulated all 64 of his yards in the second half.
“I thought they finished runs and that’s one of the challenges we gave to these guys, is to finish with a low and level finish moving forward,” LaFleur said. “Those yards are hidden yardage, if you will, when you get hit on contact and fall forward.
“Every yard counts, so those add up in a hurry.”
As great of an afternoon as it was for the Packers’ running backs, the backup offensive line they were running behind paved the way; that can easily be lost upon anyone simply looking at a box score.
MORE: No. 2 QB job still undetermined after Packers throttle Ravens in exhibition finale
MORE: AJ Dillon’s latest stinger complicates matters at running back as Packers remain cautious
MORE: Detail-oriented Rasheed Walker blossoming into one of Packers’ top assets
With Dillon and Lloyd both still sidelined, there’s a real opportunity for Wilson to not only secure a 53-man roster spot for the second consecutive year, but for him to win the No. 2 job behind Jacobs. Depending on Dillon’s outlook—LaFleur said on Thursday that the Packers are still in “wait and see” mode while they gather more opinions on his stinger—he could begin the regular season on short-term injured reserve, ditto with Lloyd. That route would keep them out of commission for at least the first four games.
“T-B-D,” LaFleur said on how the Packers will construct their backfield.
Wilson has done more than enough to enter the conversation. After leading the league in rushing yards last preseason, he did so again this summer, finishing with 160 rushing yards through three games and surpassing Velus Jones’ 158. Dillon only edged him out in the race for the backup job because of his experience and because of his superiority in pass protection which is viewed as a paramount asset on LaFleur’s team. But if he isn’t available, then the Packers will have no choice but to opt for Wilson’s services—he’s undoubtedly been their best tailback this summer.
Zachary Jacobson is the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is entering his 10th season covering the Green Bay Packers. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter @zacobson or contact him via email at itszachariahj@gmail.com
