Packers manage multiple RB injuries, but their run game remains stable.
ESPN:c Kingsley Enagbare, Aaron Jones, RB, Jaire Alexander, CB, return against their ne…
Running backs coach Ben Sirmans remarked, “It’s been one of those deals where you hear the old cliché of next man up.” “Whoever is available, that’s who I’m going to get available because the success of the offense depends heavily on that position, which benefits the team as a whole.”
The Packers have had six different running backs available on their game-day roster in 2023 with three games left in the regular season. The Packers have also experienced injuries to Aaron Jones, Emanuel Wilson, and most recently, AJ Dillon.
Over the past month or so, Dillon has been playing some of his best football. He has been more decisive, which has resulted in more forceful and explosive runs. Dillon was unfortunately absent this past week for the first time in his career due to an injury—he broke his thumb versus New York.
It is still unknown what Dillon’s status is for this week’s game. It will depend on Dillon’s capacity for pain management and his ability to shield the football, according to Sirmans. There will be more live sessions throughout practice this week, which will assist us better understand Dillon’s current situation.
Although the Green Bay run game hasn’t been particularly strong this year due to injuries and the infrequent availability of both Jones and Dillon at full strength, the Packers have experienced greater success on the ground in the second half of the season. Green Bay’s team average during Weeks 3 through 8, when they were 1-5, was just 4.1 yards per carry. That number has increased to 4.6 yards over the past seven games.
The offense’s ability to produce successful run game plays is largely responsible for its overall success. In the passing game, especially off play-action, where Love has been quite effective, this keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and out of situations where passes are predictable.
Having to get various players ready for a performance, frequently without much of a runway to do so, has excited Sirmans in some way. Keeping everyone involved throughout the week, regardless of whether they are hurt or on the practice squad and uncertain about their playing status, is a part of that process for him. Sirmans deliberately gets each back moving as though they were getting ready for a game.
During his tenure in Green Bay, he has also fostered a competitive running back room where players are eager to support one another.
“The other aspect of it,” Sirmans remarked, “is that guys have been amazing at supporting him. I told Drake this when he first came here about our room, but there’s always rivalry and all this stuff. Whichever person is telling him what to do at this particular moment—AJ, Aaron, or PT. This is how we go about it. He’s been receiving feedback all the time from myself and other guys as well.
With neither Jones nor Dillon available for the past month, Taylor has mostly filled in as the third-down running back, protecting the pass and taking on pass-catching responsibilities. But in the last three games, he has only had seven carries for 65 yards of total rushing yards. The third running back has been Robinson, then Drake, who is primarily used for depth but is also used on occasion to give either Dillon or Jones a break.
Green Bay’s 2023 running back campaign has unfortunately been marred by injuries, but the group as a whole, with Sirmans leading the way, has prevented that from ruining the season. As the season progressed, this position group has actually gotten better, as evidenced by the stats and with the support of the offensive line. This steadiness has helped the offense at a period of considerable turmoil and squad turnover.
“It’s been one of those deals where there’s actually a little excitement about it,” Sirmans continued. Alright, so either this player is new to the system or he hasn’t played much. There’s the rush of having to get this person ready for his show.
