The Green Bay Packers placed running back Chris Brooks on injured reserve on Saturday, ruling him out for at least the next four games as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Brooks thus will miss Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Chicago Bears. He sustained the injury during Green Bay's Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before exiting the contest, he rushed for 27 yards on a single carry.

His absence further reduces the Packers options at running back, particularly with Josh Jacobs still on the NFL commissioner's exempt list while the league determines whether he will face a suspension and its potential length.

Brooks had emerged as a vital contributor to the backfield this season, primarily handling pass-protection duties while also receiving opportunities as a runner. He has played a role resembling that of a fullback since 2024, but Jacobs' absence has increased his responsibilities in the running game.

Through four games, Brooks accumulated 70 rushing yards on 15 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. That figure leads Green Bay's running backs. He also avoided fumbles, unlike fellow backs MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. However, none of the team's running backs has scored a rushing touchdown this season, while the Packers' rushing attack ranks last in the league.

Green Bay had addressed its backfield depth by promoting Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster earlier in the week. With Brooks now on injured reserve and Jacobs unavailable, Strong, Lloyd and Johnson are the healthy running backs currently available to the team.

Article Continues Below

Brooks will be eligible to return to the active roster in Week 9, when the Packers face the New England Patriots. Until then, the team will have to distribute the backfield workload among their remaining options.

Green Bay did not announce a corresponding roster transaction alongside Brooks' placement on IR, leaving an opening on the 53-man roster. The Packers also began practicing wide receiver Savion Williams this week after designating him to return from injured reserve, making him a potential candidate for a roster move in Week 6.