The Green Bay Packers suffered a significant setback to their offense on Tuesday when they placed A.J. Dillon on injured reserve. It will end his 2024 season and, most likely, his time in Green Bay.
Dillon’s injury is a blow to his career because he was already on the roster bubble entering the preseason. With Aaron Jones‘ departure and Josh Jacobs‘ arrival, the fifth-year running back needed a big season after a disappointing 2023 that saw him underperform in yards-per-carry despite his carries increasing.
In Green Bay’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, Dillon had four carries for only two yards. He then suffered a neck injury in the joint practice against the Denver Broncos before those two teams faced each other in the second preseason outing.
Given that this was a contract year for him, his time in Green Bay is likely over. However, when one door closes, another opens. And a door may have just swung wide open for Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay’s third-string running back.
Wilson is a second-year back out of Fort Valley State University who Green Bay signed as an undrafted free agent last year. In last year’s preseason, he had 38 carries for 223 yards, averaging 5.86 yards per carry and two touchdowns. Wilson had a breakout game in Green Bay’s first preseason game, with six carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He only had 14 carries for 85 yards during the regular season, but his yards-per-carry ratio remained consistent at 6.07 yards per rush. Wilson had 37 carries for 160 yards in this year’s preseason games, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and a touchdown. His best game came against Cleveland, where he had 13 carries for 67 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown.
He has been productive throughout the past two preseasons and was productive whenever he saw the field last year.
Green Bay also took MarShawn Lloyd in the third round with the 88th-overall pick out of USC. There was a lot of hype surrounding him and how he could contribute to what was a great-looking backfield.
Unfortunately, Lloyd also got injured. He entered training camp with a hip injury and injured his hamstring during the opening game against Cleveland. Thankfully, he made the 53-man roster and avoided getting put on the injured reserve list to start the year. That means there is a solid chance he will see the field against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo.
However, Lloyd cannot practice with his injury, which limits his development before the start of the regular season. Green Bay will have no choice but to make Wilson the second-string running back behind Jacobs. Wilson has proven himself every time he carries the ball and will be in a great spot to see some playing time.
It’s safe to say Wilson will take the field a lot this upcoming season, but how much action will he see against Philadelphia?
Jacobs is going to be Green Bay’s primary RB. The Packers will give him the most carries throughout the game, barring an early injury. Lloyd may or may not be active for the game. Regardless, Wilson will have the second-most snaps, even if Lloyd is active and healthy.
Philadelphia had the 11th-ranked rushing defense last year. However, their run defense ranked in the bottom five in the league during their previous three games, giving up 149.7 yards per game.
That means Wilson has an opportunity to break out because no one expects much from him. Jacobs will most likely receive up to 30 carries. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if Matt LaFleur tries to gradually ease Wilson into playing time instead of throwing him in for half of the Eagles game.
Regardless of how much time he gets against Philadelphia, if Wilson continues to take advantage of the opportunities the Packers give him, we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in the future.
