Emanuel

Wilson

Jacobs was off the injury report after dealing with knee and ankle issues in previous weeks, but whether it was due to those ailments, a faltering offensive line or a great effort from the Baltimore front — likely a combination of all three — the 27-year-old tailback was able to get nothing done. The Packers have nothing to play for in Week 18 against the Lions, so no one should be surprised if it is Emmanuel Wilson (3/16) who gets most of the touches in that contest.

While it would be great to see Jacobs practice fully, this is actually an improvement from last week. The Packers’ starting running back totaled just 48 scoreless yards after sitting out all three practices. He is on track to play in Week 17 against the Ravens, though RB Emanuel Wilson could continue to split backfield touches with him.

Even with Josh Jacobs attempting to play through his knee injury, Wilson worked his way into the mix a bit more than normal. He eventually took over for Jacobs, who played only two snaps after a lost fumble in the third quarter, and wound up out-gaining Jacobs 82-36 on the ground. Wilson ran hard and efficiently for the Packers all afternoon, and could be in line for a big role in Week 17 if Jacobs’ knee injury proves too bad to play on. Wilson will be worth rostering wherever available and would be view as a high-end RB2 against the Ravens if Jacobs is unable to go.

Zero practices in three days have this feeling like a sketchy questionable, with only the fact that Jacobs frequently fights to play through injury out there to give fantasy managers much hope. Emanuel Wilson, not on the injury report this week, figures to be on the RB2 line if Jacobs is ruled out ahead of game time. Jacobs would be an RB1, though he’ll likely be on a pitch count as he was last week if he does play.

Head coach Matt LaFleur praised Jacobs’ toughness yesterday as he continues to battle through injuries to close out the regular season. Jacobs has been dealing with the knee issue for a while, though the ankle issue appears to be new. He played through the knee injury last week after logging a lone limited practice on Friday. Jacobs is likely headed for a similar practice routine this week. Fantasy managers may want to keep Emanuel Wilson on their bench in case Jacobs doesn’t play this week, which remains a possibility.

Jacobs, who played last week on a pitch count, aggravated his knee injury against the Broncos in Week 15’s loss. “He’s battling through,” LaFleur told reporters. “This guy is as tough as they come. So I’ll never count him out of the fight, I’ll tell you that.” We’d expect another week of Jacobs playing through the injury on Saturday in a huge game against the Bears for the top of the NFC North. Emanuel Wilson would certainly be a playable fantasy football starter in Week 16 if it came to that.

It was rumored earlier in the day that Jacobs was expected to play, but it has now been confirmed. Jacobs was not listed among the team’s inactives released for Week 15, meaning he’ll be good to go against a stout Broncos defense. Backup Emanuel Wilson is also active after being listed as questionable, but can’t be trusted for fantasy this week. While Jacobs is active, the Packers did declare RB Pierre Strong, OL Donovan Jennings, DL Quinton Bohanna, WR Savion Williams, DL Nazir Stackhouse, and DL Barryn Sorrell inactive for Week 15.

With Josh Jacobs (knee) expected to play, Wilson’s availability doesn’t appear to be crucial for the first round of the fantasy playoffs. He’s still listed as questionable. The team already elevated Pierre Strong from the practice squad and he could fill in as the backup if either of the Packers’ top two backs are ultimately ruled out.

The team elevated RB Pierre Strong from the practice squad in an associated move, which comes as both Josh Jacobs and Wilson are listed as questionable. Stay tuned ahead of the team’s inactives Sunday.

Add backup RB Emanuel Wilson wherever available. Jacobs is seemingly on track to play on Sunday, but it cannot hurt to be safe. Wilson operated as the team’s featured running back with Jacobs sidelined against the Vikings a few weeks ago, rushing 28 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The Broncos’ elite defense will put up a fight, but Wilson would be a volume-based RB2 if Jacobs cannot play.