The Green Bay Packers' rushing attack ranks second in the NFL entering Week 7, and even more help could soon be on the way.
Rookie MarShawn Lloyd showed flashes of his game-changing potential during the summer but battled various injuries to begin his NFL career. Lloyd only played in one preseason game due to a hamstring issue, and in his regular-season debut, exited early due to an ankle injury.
It landed the Packers' third-round pick on injured reserve, costing him a minimum of four games.
Lloyd is eligible to return, but head coach Matt LaFleur said he isn't quite ready to practice yet. However, his update sounded promising.
Matt LaFleur indicates Packers will get MarShawn Lloyd back soon
As ever, LaFleur didn't go into much detail, which is always the case with injuries, but he did sound optimistic that Lloyd won't be out for much longer.
LaFleur indicated that the rookie is getting closer and wouldn't rule out a return as early as next week when the Packers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Without Lloyd, the Packers have had no trouble moving the ball on the ground.
Their 167.2 rushing yards per game ranks second in the league behind only the Baltimore Ravens, while their 5.1 yards per attempt is tied for fifth.
Josh Jacobs ranks fifth in the NFL for rushing yards with 464, while Emanuel Wilson has provided excellent support, with 210 yards at a healthy average of five per carry. Even Chris Brooks, who the Packers claimed off waivers earlier this season, has impressed on limited touches, showing he is ready to handle backup duties when called upon.
Lloyd will add something different to Jacobs and Wilson. They are bigger backs who can handle a significant workload and wear down opposing defenses. Lloyd's biggest strength is his game-changing speed, making him the perfect change-of-pace option to play alongside Jacobs and Wilson.
The Packers won't rush him back, and he will need time to get up to speed. Lloyd missed a significant chunk of training camp and the preseason, and he has only made six carries in the regular season. But by the end of the year, he could become a significant contributor in this offense.
Going on injured reserve not only gave Lloyd time to recover from an ankle injury but also helped him get closer to 100 percent after battling hip and hamstring issues in the summer.
The rookie hasn't enjoyed much injury luck since arriving in Green Bay. Hopefully, the time off has helped him get fully healthy and ready to make an impact in the near future.
