Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon finished the game against the Los Angeles Chargers as the only healthy running back on the roster. He only rushed for 29 yards on 14 carries in a 23-20 win for Green Bay over Los Angeles and averaged 2.07 yards per carry.
Dillon has been relatively healthy all season long for the Packers despite dealing with criticism from the fanbase. Aaron Jones suffered a knee injury in the first half and did not return to the game. Jones has been dealing with hamstring issues all season long, and his status for Week 12 doesn’t look very good.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Head coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t think it will be a long-term injury for Jones, but time will tell. Also, rookie running back Emanuel Wilson also suffered an injury in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second quarter and did not return.
Dillon is the only healthy running back on the roster heading into Thanksgiving’s Showdown on the road against the Detroit Lions (8-2). Green Bay is only 4-6 on the year, but they are currently eighth in the NFC playoff picture, and it is a big game for them.
Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon Will Have Increased Role Most Likely Against the Detroit Lions
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Packers running back AJ Dillon will need to be ready to get 25-30 carries on Thursday against the Detroit Lions unless Green Bay decides to throw it 40-50 times with quarterback Jordan Love. With Aaron Jones and Emanuel Wilson potentially being sidelined due to injury on Thursday against Detroit, who will be the backup running back to Dillon in case something happens to him during the game?
The potential backup running back to Dillon on Thursday can very well be a practice squad call and it would possibly be rookie running back Ellis Merriweather. He is an undrafted free agent from UMASS and started out with the New Orleans Saints franchise.
There is also a possibility that they could bring back James Robinson after the Green Bay Packers got rid of him recently. Another free agent that they could sign is Jeremy McNichols. In reality, it will be the AJ Dillon show on Thursday for Green Bay, who has rushed for 405 yards on 117 carries and one touchdown. He is also averaging 3.5 yards per carry.
