On Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 23-20 to move to 4-6. The victory moved Green Bay one game closer to the final wild card slot in the NFC Playoff picture.
Unfortunately, the victory came at an exorbitant cost. Not one, but two of the Packers’ three running backs were injured. Aaron Jones suffered a knee injury that appeared to be season-ending at first glance. However, preliminary tests ruled out a torn ACL, and he could play again this season. Tests are still being carried out today.
Emanuel Wilson was forced to leave the game due to a separated shoulder. More tests will be performed to determine the degree of his damage.
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The difficulty for Green Bay is that they only have three days until their next game, a Thanksgiving contest against the Detroit Lions. Even if both running backs avoided catastrophic injury, the chances of them being able to play just a few days after their injuries are slim.
To give some relief in the backfield for AJ Dillon, the Packers went to a familiar face: James Robinson, who spent three weeks on the team’s practice squad earlier this season.
Running back James Robinson has been re-signed by the Green Bay Packers.
Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated was the first to announce that the Packers have re-signed Robinson ahead of their Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. While nothing official has been announced, Robinson is expected to join the team’s practice squad.
Robinson will join rookie running back Ellis Merriweather, who the Packers signed after they cut him earlier this season. Green Bay may employ either of them as a game day elevation come Thursday.
Why Did the Green Bay Packers Sign James Robinson So Early?
Several running backs have spent time with the Packers on various practice squads. When the Packers released Patrick Taylor earlier this year, he was picked up by the New England Patriots. Tyler Goodson, a preseason fan favorite, was released this year in favor of Taylor and Wilson. The Indianapolis Colts drafted him.
The fact of the issue is that Green Bay had already exhausted its options with Taylor and Goodson. If they thought they could keep them in the short or long term, they would have done anything they could to keep them. They didn’t do it.
Meanwhile, Robinson has some knowledge of the Packers offense thanks to his brief experience with the team this year. He is also a veteran, which may give him an advantage over Merriweather in determining who will be elevated on Thanksgiving.
Fans may recall Robinson rushing for 1,000 yards as an undrafted rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. Knee injuries, however, have curtailed what was previously thought to be a bright career.
While he has yet to play a regular-season snap this season, he could see action on Thursday if the Packers decide to promote him. It could be the break that propels him to another regular NFL playing opportunity.
