The Green Bay Packers will be shorthanded at running back when they play the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Per NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Packers have placed running back Emmanuel Wilson on injured reserve (IR), ruling him out for at least the next four weeks. The Packers also ruled out starting running back Aaron Jones for Thursday’s clash with a knee injury.
Packers placed TE Luke Musgrave and RB Emanuel Wilson on injured reserve, meaning they’re out a minimum of four games each.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2023
Wilson injured his shoulder in his team’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. The rookie did not practice leading up to Thursday’s game.
Emmanuel Wilson: Preseason Star Makes 53-Man Out the Gate
Wilson, an undrafted free agent from Fort Valley State, played well enough in the preseason to make the team on opening day. He ran wild in three games, taking 38 carries for 223 yards and two scores. The rookie starred in college, rushing for 1,252 yards and 15 scores on 6.8 yards per rush attempt in his final season.
Wilson slotted behind running back Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon on the Week 1 roster. He played well in limited action, rushing 14 times for 85 yards. However, the DII product hurt his shoulder last Sunday. He posted 21 scrimmage yards on four touches. Wilson had a golden opportunity to play an usually high amount of snaps this week, especially with starter Aaron Jones out, but will now miss at least four games.
Green Bay Packers: Running Back Room Decimated for Week 12
The Packers will play without starting running back Aaron Jones and third-stringer Emmanuel Wilson on Thursday. Green Bay will lean heavily on A.J. Dillon, as they did last Sunday with Jones departing early. However, he ran for just 29 yards on 14 carries. Dillon is amid his worst season regarding efficiency, averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt on 117 carries.
Green Bay could also use a healthy dose of Patrick Taylor and James Robinson on Thanksgiving. Taylor has spent his entire three-year NFL career with the Packers, rushing 44 times for 151 yards and a score (3.4 yards per rush attempt). Meanwhile, Robinson rushed for 1,070 yards and seven scores as a rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 but has primarily bounced around practice squads since.
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