A bit of surprising Friday afternoon news has changed the outlook for the Green Bay Packers’ backfield. First reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the NFL is expected to remove running back Josh Jacobs from the Commissioner’s Exempt List on Monday. Jacobs would then be eligible to return to the field, potentially as soon as the Packers’ Week 7 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
It is important to note that the situation still does not seem entirely settled. Schefter followed up his initial report by stating that the situation remains ongoing for the Packers’ running back. The NFL will continue its investigation, which is not affected by the change to Jacobs’ roster status.
How does Josh Jacobs’ Return Impact MarShawn Lloyd’s Fantasy Football Outlook?
While Jacobs has been sidelined, it has been MarShawn Lloyd who has carried the running back production for Green Bay. The 25-year-old has tallied 40 carries for 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns, adding 10 receptions for 55 yards and a score through the air. Lloyd is averaging 8.7 fantasy points per game based on DraftKings scoring with 43.7 total fantasy points tallied on the season.
Kaleb Johnson and Chris Brooks have also played notable roles in the rushing attack. Johnson has taken 27 carries for 106 yards on the ground, good for 11.6 total fantasy points. Brooks has tallied 15 carries for 70 yards while adding 24 yards through the air, which comes out to 12.4 total fantasy points. Unfortunately, Brooks suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 that forced him to be placed on IR and miss at least four games.
Any way you look at it, the Packers have not gotten their desired level of production at the running back position. Green Bay ranks fourth in the league in passing yards, but 32nd in rushing production and 31st in net yards per rush attempt. Jacobs will be looked at as the solution to this since he was the expected bell-cow running back before the offseason issues came to light. He earned his third Pro Bowl appearance last year with Green Bay, recording 301 rushing attempts for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 342 yards and a score through the air. Jacobs finished the season ranked 44th among all offensive players based on DraftKings scoring, averaging 15.9 fantasy points per game.
While there should not be much doubt about the talent upgrade that Jacobs provides, there are fair questions about what the plan will be to incorporate him into the offense. Per the NFL’s rules, the 28-year-old has not been allowed to practice with the team while on the Commissioner’s Exempt list. Jacobs has been allowed to be around the team facility and attend meetings, but there is no replicating live action, and it is not the easiest thing to jump into the midpoint of the season. It should also be made clear that he is considered eligible to return, not necessarily that he has to be activated by Green Bay.
How the Packers manage Jacobs in his first matchup will be telling about his outlook moving forward. There also will be more clarity based on what the split of reps look like at practice during the week. But don’t expect Lloyd to be completely abandoned and for Jacobs to return to his full role in his first week back, whenever that comes. His first matchup will likely be treated as a ramp-up game for the returning running back, plus, how the game script plays out will have an impact on his usage as well.
But, the writing is on the wall for Lloyd’s usage moving forward. He did not produce to the level that would challenge Jacobs’ skillset and Green Bay will remain focused on rolling out the players that give the team the best chance to win. Expect the rushing split to gradually shift in Jacobs’ favor and for this week to mark the beginning of the end for Lloyd’s major role in the offense. A monstrous performance from Lloyd against a Cowboys defense that ranks dead last in rushing defense could alter things slightly, but the 25-year-old should be viewed as more of a handcuff option moving forward.
