Packers’ Josh Jacobs draws concerning injury update before first preseason game

The Green Bay Packers will be without their lead running back for Thursday’s preseason opener, and the timeline beyond that remains uncertain. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Tuesday that Josh Jacobs will miss at least the rest of this week with a groin injury that has kept him out of practice since August 6.

“He’s gonna be out for at least this week,” LaFleur said.

The update keeps Jacobs sidelined for Green Bay’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. LaFleur noted Jacobs participated in a training group on a side field Tuesday, a sign he remains on a rehab track even without a firm return date attached.

Reports have indicated the team does not view the injury as anything concerning, and that it is not expected to affect Jacobs’ availability for the start of the regular season.

The timing adds another layer of uncertainty for the 28-year-old, who is also still facing the possibility of legal proceedings stemming from a domestic abuse arrest in Wisconsin back in May.

With Jacobs out, MarShawn Lloyd is set to work with Green Bay’s first-team offense in Thursday’s opener. LaFleur singled out Lloyd as a bright spot throughout training camp, though the third-round pick from 2024 has appeared in just one career regular-season game due to a string of hamstring and ankle injuries.

Meanwhile, veteran Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. round out a running back room that lacks significant depth behind Jacobs, a group LaFleur would need to lean on more heavily if the injury lingers.

Jacobs enters his third season in Green Bay after rushing for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns across 15 starts last year, a campaign that included battling through several injuries down the stretch, including a knee issue in December. Jordan Love is expected to play in Thursday’s game as well, giving the Packers a chance to evaluate their offense even with their top back sidelined.

Green Bay continues its preseason slate with a trip to Denver on August 21 before hosting Arizona on August 28, giving Jacobs a full window to get healthy before the regular-season opener against Minnesota on September 13.

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