Matt LaFleur offers reality check on Packers young player expected to make an impact but dealing with frustration
Running back MarShawn Lloyd has been able to play only one regular season game throughout his NFL career, producing 18 scrimmage yards.
When the Green Bay Packers took MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the draft in 2024, respected voices thought the team had gotten the best running back in that class. Eighteen months later, Lloyd has had the grand total of 18 yards in his NFL career. It’s not even his fault, but Lloyd has had an insane sequence of injuries.
“I wouldn’t count on that any time soon,” head coach Matt LaFleur said on Wednesday when asked if Lloyd would return to practice.
Unfortunate situation for MarShawn Lloyd
As a rookie, Lloyd had a hamstring injury in preseason, an ankle injury during his first regular season game, a case of appendicitis right when he was set to return, and another hamstring injury. When it looked like the running back was finally healthy this year, another hamstring injury appeared during a preseason game.
That injury happened on Aug. 16, during the 23-19 exhibition win over the Indianapolis Colts. It’s extremely rare for soft-tissue injuries to take that long, but Lloyd has been out for more than two months due to his hamstring injury.
The overall situation is unclear. The Packers haven’t ruled out his return from injured reserve this year, a process that included making him one of the designations for return when the Packers built their initial 53-man roster.
However, it’s a scenario where Green Bay might be extra cautious. During the offseason, Lloyd followed Christian Watson’s steps going to the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and Public Health, trying to understand what causes so many issues. So far, though, it hasn’t translated to a healthy year.
The Packers don’t seem to be in a hurry to have Lloyd back, though. Backup running back Emanuel Wilson and third-stringer Chris Brooks have been once again effective in their roles this season, giving the team solid alternatives behind Josh Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Green Bay doesn’t need to make a definitive decision on MarShawn Lloyd. He has a cheap rookie deal and is not even wasting a roster spot being on injured reserve. It’s an unfortunate situation for a talented player, but one the Packers will have to handle.
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