The Green Bay Packers confirmed that they will use their starters against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, instead of resting top players ahead of the playoffs. But that doesn't necessarily mean overloading everyone.

Depending on how the game goes at Lambeau Field, it would make sense to diminish the number of touches for Josh Jacobs, especially because the Packers trust their running back depth with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks.

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"We have confidence in our other two backs," head coach Matt LaFleur said after the San Francisco 49ers game in Week 12. "I thought Emanuel Wilson ran really good, (Chris) Brooks gave us some good carries as well."

Wilson is the better runner, but Brooks brings an element of competency for blocks and pass protection that is hard to find. It's a good complementary group, and in a game like it will be against the Bears, without major standing implications, it would make sense to give them more snaps.

Emanuel Wilson

Undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Denver Broncos but spent only three days there. He then signed with the Packers and made the initial 53-man roster behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.

The Packers rebuilt their RB room in 2024, but Wilson's role only got bigger. This season, he's had 89 carries for 429 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns, plus 10 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

He has had an impressive 86.8 run grade by PFF, 3.03 yards after contact per attempt, and a 24.2% breakaway rate.

Chris Brooks

Brooks also went undrafted last year and made the Miami Dolphins' 53-man roster. He was expected to do it again this season, but was placed on IR before the roster cuts and was waived with an injury settlement.

He cleared waivers and signed with the Packers' practice squad. When rookie MarShawn Lloyd got hurt, Brooks was eventually promoted to the active roster, and it's been clear how much LaFleur appreciates his work ethic and willingness to do the hard parts on each play.

He has a 73.5 PFF run grade, 3.5 yards after contact per attempt, and 14.5% breakaway rate. He is certainly not as explosive as Wilson as a runner, but his ability to protect the passer and to lead runs have created a role for him as a de facto fullback.

Josh Jacobs is their star, and that won't change anytime soon. But the game against the Bears on Sunday is a good opportunity for Wilson and Brooks to have more snaps and to show what they are truly capable of.

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