With Josh Jacobs facing serious domestic abuse allegations, the Green Bay Packers front office has to at least begin to prepare a possible alternative plan at running back.
The team’s roster lacks both experience and depth at the position so it’s likely general manager Brian Gutekunst will be looking to add at least one piece to the offensive backfield this summer. Former backup Emanuel Wilson signed with the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason.
As May OTAs continue, MarShawn Lloyd is probably the team’s most talented back behind Jacobs, but Lloyd has been injured virtually his entire two seasons in the league. He has played just one NFL game after being drafted in the third round by the Packers in 2024.
Chris Brooks has also been with the team for two seasons and has filled the No. 3 role for the team. Pierre Strong has also filled a similar role previously with the Cleveland Browns.
The Packers also added Damien Martinez at the end of last season and signed rookie Jaden Nixon to a free agent deal after the draft.
Here’s a glance at the Packers’ current running back room:
Packers running back depth chart below Josh Jacobs
Chris Brooks
Brooks has been with the Packers for two seasons. Last year he played in all 17 games, rushing for 106 yards on 27 carries. He also caught 13 passes for 91 yards. Brooks is also considered an excellent blocker in pass protection. This will be his fourth year in the league. He spent his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins. Though he’s seen limited work, he has a 4.8 yard per carry average in his three seasons.
MarShawn Lloyd
If Jacobs misses significant time due to suspension, it would seem Lloyd would have a significant opportunity to have a major role in the offense. Lloyd was a third round pick in 2024 out of USC, but he’s played in only one NFL game due to various injuries. In his final season with the Trojans, he rushed for 820 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 232 yards (a 17.8 yard-per-catch average).
Pierre Strong
Strong missed last season due to injury. He spent the previous two seasons with the Cleveland Browns in a third string role and had 291 yards on 63 carries in 2023.
Jaden Nixon
The Packers signed Nixon after he went undrafted. He played three seasons at Oklahoma State, one season at Western Michigan and finished at Central Florida. He gained over 1,600 yards and scored 16 rushing touchdowns over his last two seasons in college.
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Damien Martinez
Martinez ran for over 3,000 yards and had 25 rushing touchdowns over three seasons at Oregon State and Miami (Fla.). He was briefly on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad last season after being drafted in the seventh round. The Packers signed him to their practice squad in December.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What’s the Packers’ running back depth chart behind Josh Jacobs?
Reporting by Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
