The Green Bay Packers’ backfield is heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos with more questions than answers - and not the good kind. The team’s top two running backs, Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson, are both listed as questionable.
Jacobs is dealing with a knee bruise, while Wilson was added to the injury report late with an illness. That’s a tough one-two punch for a team that leans on its ground game to balance the offense.
If both Jacobs and Wilson can’t go, the Packers would be left with only Chris Brooks, a fullback by trade, as the lone healthy running back on the 53-man roster. That’s not exactly the depth chart you want heading into a physical matchup like this one.
To help shore things up, the Packers elevated Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad to the gameday roster on Saturday. Strong has been with the team since Week 2 but has yet to see a regular-season snap in green and gold. This isn’t the first time Green Bay has elevated Strong when Jacobs was questionable, but the stakes feel a little higher this time with two backs potentially out.
Strong brings speed and explosiveness, but he’s still an unknown in this offense. If he’s called upon, it would be his first real opportunity to show what he can do in Matt LaFleur’s system. Don’t expect the Packers to overhaul their game plan around him, but if he’s active, he could be in line for some meaningful touches - especially if Jacobs and Wilson are ruled out.
On the defensive side, the Packers made a telling decision by not elevating linebacker Jamon Johnson, which strongly suggests that Kristian Welch is trending toward being active. Welch suffered a concussion last week against the Bears but was limited in practice throughout the week.
His availability is key, particularly on special teams and in rotational linebacker packages. The Packers typically carry five linebackers on gameday, so not calling up Johnson likely means they’re confident Welch will be ready to go.
Welch’s presence is especially important considering how Green Bay deploys its linebackers in both base and sub-packages. When Quay Walker was sidelined on Thanksgiving against Detroit, Johnson got the nod. This time, it looks like Welch will be the one filling that depth role - assuming he clears final protocols.
As for the running back situation, we’re not likely to get clarity until gameday. The Packers are keeping things close to the vest, and rightly so.
With both Jacobs and Wilson listed as questionable, fans may not know who’s taking the bulk of the carries until warmups begin. If neither is able to suit up, it’ll be up to Strong and Brooks to carry the load - a duo that, until now, hasn’t taken a single regular-season snap together in the backfield.
It’s a murky situation, but one thing’s clear: Green Bay’s depth is being tested. And how they respond could have a big say in how Sunday’s game unfolds.