GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers need all the help they can get to revive their running game.
The return of running back Josh Jacobs and guard Aaron Banks might provide a boost.
In his Monday, Oct. 19, news conference, Packers coach Matt LaFleur did not rule out Jacobs playing against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Oct. 25.
On Oct. 16, Jacobs was told he would be removed from the commissioner’s exempt list on Monday, clearing him to practice immediately and play against the Lions. The NFL transaction report said “The Commissioner has granted a one-game roster exemption” for Jacobs. The roster exemption will expire Monday, Oct. 26.
Jacobs was placed on the list Aug. 30 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property charges after a May altercation with his ex-girlfriend.
Though Jacobs continued to get paid, he was not allowed to practice, play or participate in team activities while on the list. He could attend position group meetings and work out in the facility, so he won’t be starting from scratch when he suits up.
LaFleur said Jacobs would practice Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the team returns from its off day.
“I think that's to be determined,” LaFleur said, when asked if Jacobs would be ready to play against the Lions. “We feel like he's in a pretty good spot. I mean, he's been training, but he hasn't [played football]. He's missed the exposure of football.”
The Packers’ run game has gone from bad to worse.
After gaining a season-high 86 yards at Tampa Bay, the Packers totaled 70 yards on 26 carries against Chicago and 57 yards on 26 carries against Dallas. Over the past three games, all victories, the Packers have rushed 77 times for 213 yards, for a 2.77-yard average.
The Packers rank 32nd in the league in rushing yards per game (59.8) and yards per carry (2.87). The 31st-ranked teams average 76 yards per game (Dallas) and 3.03 yards per carry (3.03).
It’s questionable whether Jacobs, whose career rushing average dropped from 4.4 yards in 2024 to 4.0 in ’25, can single-handedly lift the running game out of its doldrums.
“I think he's an elite-level back,” LaFleur said. “It's certainly not going to hurt it. So, I think he can provide a spark.”
Packers guard Aaron Banks appears close to playing
Another potential change could be coming this week.
LaFleur said that left guard Aaron Banks appears to have recovered from the knee and toe injuries that sidelined him for all but 22 snaps this season. He practiced for the first time since Week 2 ahead of the Cowboys game, but he was inactive for a fourth straight game.
Banks was the preferred starter going into training camp, but knee tendinitis limited him, and he injured his toe on his return to action in Week 2 against Atlanta. The Packers signed veteran Laken Tomlinson off the Cowboys’ practice squad Sept. 28, and he has started the past three games.
Given how much the Packers invested in Banks as a free agent last year, it’s likely they’ll give him a shot to regain his spot.
“I think he had a great week in practice last week,” LaFleur said. “That's the best I've seen him look in a long time. So, I think he's getting there.”
Another change to the offensive line could be inserting veteran Kevin Zeitler at right guard for Travis Glover. Zeitler, 36, signed with the Packers on Sept. 30, but needs time to get in football shape and learn the offense after recovering from offseason surgery while unsigned.
“He's gotten better,” LaFleur said. “He's getting more comfortable. He’s moving better. I think he's feeling more comfortable with the scheme. So again, it's kind of going to be a day-by-day thing.”
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers running back Josh Jacobs will start practice Wednesday, may return vs Detroit