Packers running back Kaleb Johnson ahead of practice inside the Don Hutson Center.
Packers running back Kaleb Johnson ahead of practice inside the Don Hutson Center.(WBAY)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - The Packers have a trio of running backs to lean on while Josh Jacobs is ineligible to play on the commissioner’s exempt list.
The veteran running back pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend in May.
Meanwhile, the show must go on with MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Kaleb Johnson shouldering the load.
Johnson, the newest addition to the group, has only been in Green Bay for a couple of weeks after being acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said he has confidence in Johnson.
“Yeah, absolutely. I think he’s come in and picked up our stuff really well, and Ben spent a lot of time with him. It’s just a matter of him going out there and getting those reps,” LaFleur said.
Johnson looks to bounce back
Johnson had 69 yards in his rookie season with Pittsburgh following a special teams blunder.
“Just being in a new program, just being in a new sense of matter, and just showing people that it’s not just the mistakes I made there. I’m really a really, really good player,” Johnson said.
Lloyd moves into starting role
Lloyd has taken the reps with the ones during camp and is RB-1 on the unofficial depth chart ahead of this week’s opener.
“The coaches have been able to help me to be ready, and I’m ready whenever my numbers call, so I’m excited. It’ll be fun enjoying, you know, being on the field a little more,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd has dealt with injuries to his ankles, groins and hamstrings, along with an appendectomy. The former third-round pick now gets his shot again.
“You can’t make it bigger when it is, or you’re going to make mistakes, or you’re going to do things trying to, you know, be someone. So I think the best thing for me is just to have fun with it, have fun and enjoy myself,” Lloyd said.
Strong sidelined
Practice squad running back Pierre Strong would be a candidate to be elevated for Sunday’s game. For the second straight day of practice, he worked with a rehab group due to a hamstring injury.