Josh Jacobs is officially headed for surgery on his fractured ring finger, and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Monday that the star running back could be looking at a stint on injured reserve. This is a massive hit, and it comes at the worst possible time for the Packers’ ground game.
The Brutal Play That Led To Another Sideline Trip
This latest setback happened in the first quarter when Jacobs attempted to stiff-arm New England’s Craig Woodson. In a nasty bit of bad luck, his finger got caught right in the helmet, forcing him to the sideline in obvious pain. He got the finger temporarily taped up, but it was clear that wasn’t going to cut it, as he quickly headed to the locker room for a deeper look. Now we know the verdict: it is a fracture, and that means surgery.
Another Stretch On The Sideline After A Tough Start
The real kicker here is the injured reserve possibility. If Jacobs lands on IR, he’s out for at least four games. We are talking about missing matchups against the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints. That is a seriously tough slate of opponents to face without your primary back. And let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time Jacobs has been away from the team this season. He missed the first six games after being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list due to an investigation into domestic violence charges from the offseason. He’d just gotten back into a rhythm, logging 80 yards on 36 carries with a touchdown in the three games since his return.
Now, with Jacobs facing another extended absence, the Packers are going to have to dig deep to keep their running game afloat through a brutal upcoming schedule. They’ll need other guys to step up big time if they want to stay competitive in these next four critical weeks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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