Packers' Matt LaFleur Gives Encouraging Josh Jacobs Injury Update

The Green Bay Packers got some good news this week about star running back Josh Jacobs. Head coach Matt LaFleur said that Jacobs would return to practice after missing most of the preseason with a groin injury. The update came as a relief to fans who were worried about the team heading into the new NFL season.

Jacobs hurt his groin during a training camp practice earlier this month. Because of the injury, he was unable to practice with the team for most of August. He also missed Green Bay's first preseason game, a 28–9 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coach LaFleur delivered the positive update on Tuesday, according to reporter Rob Demovsky. The week before, Jacobs had practiced on a side field away from the main team drills. However, he was still kept out of the preseason game to make sure he was fully healthy.

Jacobs has been one of the best running backs in the NFL over the past two seasons. Last year, he ran for 929 yards and scored 13 touchdowns in 15 games. The season before that — his first with Green Bay — he rushed for more than 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns and earned a Pro Bowl selection.

While Jacobs was out, other Packers running backs got a chance to play. MarShawn Lloyd is listed as the backup behind Jacobs on the team's depth chart, followed by Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. In the preseason loss to Pittsburgh, Brooks had four carries for 13 yards and Strong had three carries for nine yards. Neither player scored, and all of Green Bay's points came from field goals.

The Packers play in the NFC North division, which is very competitive this season. Last year, the Chicago Bears won the division title, and the Packers were knocked out of the playoffs by Chicago in the Wild Card Round. Many fans believe Green Bay could have done better if not for injuries, including one to defensive star Micah Parsons.

Parsons is expected to return around Week 6 of the regular season. The NFC North also got tougher in the offseason when the Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray to help fix their struggles at the position. Having Jacobs healthy and ready to go will be very important for the Packers as they try to compete. Green Bay opens its regular season on the road against the Vikings on Sunday, September 13.