Chris

Brooks

Matt LaFleur said Chris Brooks, who is currently on the NFI list, injured himself while training but is expected to return sooner rather than later. With both the first and the third running back out of commission, MarShawn Lloyd is going to get plenty of reps with the first-team offense. Having missed the bulk of his first two seasons, that’s exactly what the young runner needed. Even if Jacobs isn’t sidelined for long, Lloyd could carve out a small standalone role in his absence. Jacobs is still facing legal troubles as well. If the league were to suspend him at any point this year, Lloyd would be the next man up.

The exact nature of Brooks’ “injury” is unclear. He took part in the offseason program. It could be something as simple as he failed the Packers’ conditioning test. Brooks’ status wouldn’t normally be worth updating, but these are not normal times in the Pack’s backfield as we await word on Josh Jacobs’ legal situation. Were Jacobs to end up suspended, the Packers would have a low-upside jumble that would undoubtedly include some Brooks touches. For now, we will assume he is soon activated. The same cannot be said for resolution to Jacobs’ situation, which appears complex and fluid.

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.