The Green Bay Packers battled hard for a Week 9 win against the New England Patriots, but the victory came with a brutal hit to their backfield: standout running back Josh Jacobs went down early with a broken finger and never returned. Now, the news has landed, and it is a gut punch. Jacobs is set to undergo surgery this week, and the recovery could sideline him for up to three weeks. That’s a huge chunk of the regular season to miss, especially for a guy who has been the team’s best running back all year.
A Gut Punch to Green Bay’s Ground Game
Sources told CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz that Jacobs’ surgery is happening this week, confirming the worst fears about his broken finger. Losing him for potentially three weeks is a major blow, no matter how you slice it. The Packers’ running game has been, to put it mildly, incredibly disappointing this season even with Jacobs in the lineup. He’s been the lone bright spot, the one guy you could count on to produce in the backfield. With Marshawn Lloyd already missing Week 9, it was Kaleb Johnson and Pierre Strong Jr. who had to step up to lead the charge against the Patriots. They did what they could, but losing your top back, the one who’s had to shoulder so much of the load, just when you’re trying to hit your stride? That’s rough.
Deadline Decision Looming Large
This injury news couldn’t come at a more crucial time for the Packers. The 2026 NFL trade deadline is literally one day after this report dropped. Think about that: a major injury to their primary running back, and the clock is ticking on whether they can bring in help. The team looks incredible overall, and you have to wonder if their front office is looking at this situation and thinking about how much more “unstoppable” their offense could be with an elite run game. While a player like Jonathan Taylor might not be a realistic target, the fact that Jacobs is facing surgery and up to three weeks on the sidelines absolutely forces a tough conversation. Do you trust the current depth to hold the fort until Jacobs is back, or do you make a move to solidify the backfield and keep those “unstoppable” dreams alive?
So, as the clock ticks towards the trade deadline, the Packers front office has a massive decision to make. Do they roll the dice with their current backfield, hoping Jacobs’ return is swift and effective, or do they make a splash to solidify their aspirations?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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