Paul Bretl | 11/13/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers’ rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd returned to practice on Wednesday, bringing a dynamic element to the running back room. However, the big question now is, where does he fit into what has now become a crowded position group?
“I was watching some footage from earlier this year,” said Matt LaFleur of Lloyd via the Matt Schneidman Show. “He was up in that Indy game, just his explosiveness that he showed is definitely something that we could use within our football team, whether it’s on special teams or the offensive side of the ball. But the expectation is for him to reacclimate himself and we’ll see where he’s at by the end of the week, but it is good to get him back out there on the practice field.”
Lloyd has been sidelined and on injured reserve with an ankle injury since the Packers’ Week 2 matchup with Indianapolis. He has been designated to return, opening up a three-week window for him to be added back to the 53-man roster. Whether it’s Day 1 or Day 21 of that window, Lloyd can be added back at any time, and the Packers currently have an open roster spot after trading Preston Smith.
The Packers selected Lloyd in the third round of this past April’s draft and he brings something “different,” as GM Brian Gutekunst put it, than the other running backs on the roster. Lloyd measures in at 5-9 – 220 pounds and has terrific burst–running in the 4.4s–and change of direction ability that is easily spotted on the practice field when the ball is in his hands.
“I mean, that speed you can’t teach,” said Josh Jacobs about Lloyd. “You cannot teach that speed. The way that he goes in and out of his cuts, the way that he’s electric. That’s the only way I can explain it. I’m excited to see him play. He’s going to be a good back.”
Matt LaFleur views Lloyd as a back who can bring a change of pace to the running back position with his speed and also be someone who can impact the passing game as well, giving the Packers a “matchup nightmare,” as LaFleur called him during the offseason, out of the backfield.
“I think throughout training camp, MarShawn was doing some really good things,” said Jordan Love of Lloyd. “And I think just the explosiveness, I think he’s a really fast running back and I think he did some good things just when he got the ball. His ability to get through that line and I think getting him back will help us create more explosive plays.
“Obviously he’s a guy we’re going to want to get the rock to but at the same time Josh is playing so well, too. I think just getting him back in the lineup, getting him some touches, is going to be very, very huge.”
Unfortunately for Lloyd, this current injury that he is returning from is now the third different injury that he’s fought through since training camp started. Lloyd missed about the first week of camp navigating a hip injury. Then in Green Bay’s preseason opener, Lloyd tweaked his hamstring, forcing him to miss the remainder of the preseason and the Packers’ regular season-opener.
Knowing the playbook inside and out, along with staying engaged during team meetings, is one thing–and it’s important–but being able to apply that information on the field when things are moving incredibly fast is a whole other part of the equation. Right now, for Lloyd, who missed a good portion of training camp and the last seven weeks on injured reserve, the application element is the aspect that he’s missing and is obviously a very important part of a rookie’s development. Ultimately, only reps can get him back up to speed in that regard.
Helping Lloyd through these injuries has been veteran Josh Jacobs. Naturally, after being sidelined for a third time since July, it can be easy to get down, but Jacobs didn’t allow for those thoughts to creep into Lloyd’s head. Every day, Jacobs would make Lloyd drive over to practice with him, teaching him and talking through all the different aspects that comes with being a successful pro at the NFL level.
“There’s a lot of things that you’ve got to teach yourself,” said Jacobs. “In college, they kinda make it mandatory to do certain things, but in the league, you’ve got to go out of your way to do it – whether it’s recovery, whether it’s extra time stretching, whether it’s the way you’re eating, all of types of things, and just the mentality that he needs to have.
“I tell him all the time, he kinda got a little down when he got hurt again. And he’s like, man I’m dealing with this again. I just told, man be patient. When your time comes, just let your presence be felt. You can only control what you can control. He’s going to be a good running back in this league. I’m excited to see him go this week.”
Keeping four running backs on the 53-man roster would be unconventional for the Packers, but as mentioned, with a roster spot currently open, they have the ability to do so without releasing anyone. But where will Lloyd’s playing time come from?
Jacobs, the obvious lead back for this team, is also seventh in the NFL in carries among running backs. Emanuel Wilson has continued to develop as a pass-blocker and shows good burst of his own with the ball in his hands, averaging 4.6 yards per rush. Then there is Chris Brooks, whose playing time is continuing to increase as he fills a versatile and do-it-all role at the running back position.
Keeping four running backs available on the gameday roster when only 48 players are eligible to be active would, again, go against the grain for the Packers and force them to go light at a different position. And while Lloyd adds another dynamic presence with the ball in his hands, his ability to hold up in pass protection is going to be a factor in what kind of playing time he earns moving forward.
To a degree, there’s a line that the Packers may have to navigate. In order to get Lloyd up to speed, he will need reps, especially after all the time he’s missed. But for a young and inexperienced player, that could mean growing pains, which the team will have to be comfortable with as well, in addition to one of Wilson or Brooks’ roles being reduced.
However, before those final decisions have to be made, step one is for Lloyd to get back on the practice field and for the team to see how he progresses throughout the week. Ultimately, if the LaFleur believes there is a way he can help the team–and his skill set does provide that–then he’ll find a way to get Lloyd on the field.
“We’ll see where he’s at taking up one day at a time,” said LaFleur. “And obviously he’s got a skill set that we really liked, and his ability to do some things out of the backfield as well as in the backfield. So we’re just going to take it one day at a time with him, and if he can contribute great. If not, then obviously, we’ve got a lot of confidence in those other guys.”