The Green Bay Packers are 5-1-1 on the season as they prepare for their Week Nine matchup against the Carolina Panthers (4-4) at Lambeau Field. Their latest win, a 35-25 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, assured that they remain at the top of the NFC North and the NFC in general.
All season long, Green Bay has been able to play [mostly] solid football despite numerous injuries to key players on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Devonte Wyatt has missed some time due to a knee injury and Micah Parsons was on a snap count early in the season as he worked his way back to full strength from a back injury. Lukas Van Ness has missed the last few games due to injury as well.
Offensively, wide receiver Jayden Reed is out until late November after undergoing surgery for a broken collar bone and Jones fracture. Dontayvion Wicks has missed some time due to a calf injury, and offensive linemen Zach Tom and Aaron Banks have both had to play through injuries.
But one player that has been missing due to injury, Marshawn Lloyd, continues to draw concern from fans as his return to the field continues to be delayed.
Green Bay Packers fans wonder what exactly is going on with Marshawn Lloyd
Running back MarShawn Lloyd (32) is shown during organized team activities for the Green Bay Packers Tuesday, May 21, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
When the Packers selected Lloyd with their third round pick (88th overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, many believed he was going to compete for, and win, the backup running back job behind Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs. However, Lloyd missed all but one game as a rookie due to a plethora of injuries, including a sudden bout of appendicitis that required emergency surgery.
Going into 2025, many believed, once again, that Lloyd was going to earn a significant role on the team. Unfortunately, as was the case last year, numerous injuries have kept Lloyd off the field.
And it does not sound like he will be back anytime soon, as head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters today:
Matt LaFleur says MarShawn Lloyd isnβt returning any time soon. pic.twitter.com/MrXHLrbGlV
β Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 29, 2025
The latest ailment that is keeping Lloyd out is a hamstring injury that, it appears, simply is not healing.
And fans are wondering what exactly is going on:
#MarShawnLloydDiedWeeksAgo https://t.co/6TPgYbdMeo
β zach jacobson (@zacobson) October 29, 2025
I genuinely forgot he was on our team https://t.co/KJCWzGjsT8
β Zack π§ (@ShowtymeZack) October 29, 2025
Gahβ¦did his hamstring just disintegrate?!? πππ https://t.co/Xn0e7079bw
β Chunky Stardust π³οΈβππ§ (@ChunkyStardust) October 29, 2025
What the hell happened to him. https://t.co/z812vXgr7X
β Dadrianπ§ (@KingDay__) October 29, 2025
Fortunately for the Packers, Emanuel Wilson has proven, once again, to be a capable backup behind Jacobs. Last season, Wilson had 502 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. So far this season, he has 162 rushing yards and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Lloyd, of course, is in the second year of his rookie contract and the Packers would not gain any kind of real salary cap relief by parting ways with him.
That being said, his continued inability to get and stay healthy is concerning.
Packers upcoming schedule
November 2: vs Carolina Panthers
November 10: vs Philadelphia Eagles
November 16: at New York Giants
November 23: vs Minnesota Vikings
November 27: at Detroit Lions
December 7: vs Chicago Bears
December 14: at Denver Broncos
December 20: at Chicago Bears
Week 17: vs Baltimore Ravens (date and time TBD)
Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings (date and time TBD)
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