Chris

Brooks

Brooks opened team drills as the Packers’ starting running back on Wednesday. Fellow backup RB Pierre Strong then subbed in, taking first-team reps as well. Starting RB Josh Jacobs was arrested on Tuesday for domestic abuse and was not present. Presumed RB MarShawn Lloyd practiced on Tuesday, but was limited to individual drills for an undisclosed reason on Wednesday. Injuries derailed Lloyd’s first two NFL seasons, so his absence is worth monitoring.

Jacobs this week was arrested in Wisconsin on domestic abuse chargers. The 28-year-old back was booked in jail for battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, strangulation and suffocation, and intimidation of a victim. Jacobs denies the allegations. If the Packers were to release Jacobs — who has two years and $25 million remaining on his current deal — they would absorb a doable $6.2 million hit to the salary cap for 2026. Jacobs could be facing team and/or league discipline in the coming months, and could miss part of the regular season if the NFL’s investigation into the domestic abuse allegations warrants a suspension. Other running backs on the Packers depth chart include Chris Brooks, MarShawn Lloyd, and Pierre Strong.

Hard to blame him for coming to this conclusion given how injury-cursed MarShawn Lloyd’s career has been thus far, and Schneidman casts Chris Brooks as “a fine situational No. 3 back.” One thing worth noting is that this is regarded as a fairly shallow running back class, so it’s possible that the Packers would have to use a premium pick on one if they wanted a ready-to-play backup in 2026. Schneidman’s “best guess” is that they’ll use a “middle of the draft” pick on one.

Brooks ran 27 times for 106 yards and caught 13 passes for 91 yards in 2025. He also logged 230 special teams snaps. Brooks fills multiple roles as a depth option at running back and a special teamer. He is now under contract through 2027.

Wilson was not involved in the Packers’ gameplan, nor was Chris Brooks who finished with one carry for 16 yards and a catch that went for 11. He wasn’t terribly efficient in his work in the regular season, either, finishing with a 4.0 YPC and 496 yards on his 125 attempts with 15 receptions for 99 for good measure. He’ll be an RFA this winter, and it’s likely he’ll just be a backup tailback whether he’s back with the Packers or joins a new club.

Jacobs will be available if the Packers need him. Yesterday, Packers RB coach Ben Sirmans indicated Jacobs won’t play much, if at all, though. Either No. 2 Emanuel Wilson or No. 3 RB Chris Brooks will lead the backfield in touches. Wilson has played a key role in the Packers’ offense this season. He could join Jacobs in the proverbial bubble wrap on the sideline this week. If so, Brooks warrants RB2/3 consideration.

The Packers have already shut down Nos. 1 and 2 QBs, Jordan Love, who cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol, and Malik Willis (right shoulder/hamstring), for Week 18. We expect them to do the same with their key skill position players. Packers No. 2 RB Emanuel Wilson has been a meaningful contributor this season. If the Packers choose to keep Jacobs and Wilson out this week, No. 3 RB Chris Brooks could be the starter.

Brooks actually played only eight fewer snaps than Emanuel Wilson, but he was mostly used on passing downs and as a breather option. There’s not enough meat on the bone in this Packers running game to support two backs. Regardless of Josh Jacobs’ Week 13 status, Brooks is not a worthwhile FLEX play.

With Josh Jacobs lost to a second quarter knee injury, Wilson was thrust into No. 1 duties for the final two-plus quarters. Wilson’s churning 11-yard touchdown run was nice in the second frame, but he was otherwise low on highlights as the Pack just tried to survive and advance in Jersey. They must now await Jacobs’ MRI results. Coach Matt LaFleur was not forthcoming with updates after the game. If Jacobs is sidelined for Week 12 against the Vikings, Wilson will be a workload-based RB2, one likely backed up by Chris Brooks.

Jacobs was listed with an illness on Wednesday and Thursday, before having the calf designation added sometime late on Friday. For what it is worth, he did manage to practice in full today, so this could be a non-issue. Fantasy managers should closely monitor news on the matter this weekend, though. Packers RBs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks are next in line if Jacobs cannot play. Wilson has out-touched Brooks 22-7 this season.