Green Bay Packers rookie running back has faced another setback in a challenging 2024 season plagued by injuries, and this latest issue could sideline him for the remainder of the year.
He began experiencing abdominal pain prior to the Packers’ final practice ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Chicago Bears. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the team’s medical staff diagnosed him with appendicitis, which will keep him out indefinitely. As of that date, it was unclear whether he had undergone surgery.
“You can’t make this stuff up,” LaFleur said during a press conference. “It’s a shame because he was making progress [recovering from his previous ankle injury]. But he’ll rebound. I’m confident in that. It’s just really unfortunate.”
A third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has not played since his debut in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts. In that game, he carried the ball six times for 15 yards before suffering a sprained ankle that placed him on injured reserve. He only recently resumed practice on November 11, four days before this latest setback.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that Lloyd might miss the remainder of the season unless the NFL grants an exception. “Since Lloyd’s 21-day practice window [to return from IR] opened already, and an appendectomy usually requires several weeks of recovery, the Packers are in discussions with the NFL to explore options for his potential return,” Demovsky wrote on X.
MarShawn Lloyd Cursed With Rookie Injury Troubles
The Packers had high hopes for MarShawn Lloyd after selecting him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, envisioning him as an immediate contributor in their offense alongside free-agent addition and former NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs. However, a string of injuries has made it challenging for Lloyd to stay on the field.
During his first NFL training camp, Lloyd dealt with hip and hamstring injuries, the latter of which caused him to miss the Packers’ season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil on September 6. Lloyd returned to action in Week 2 against the Colts, but a high-ankle sprain during the game led to his placement on injured reserve on September 17.
Despite his recent appendicitis diagnosis, there remains a path for Lloyd to contribute later in the 2024 season. NFL rules allow teams to designate a player to return from injured reserve twice in a season. The Packers could officially activate Lloyd from IR for his ankle injury, then place him back on IR to recover from his appendicitis. This would shut him down until at least Week 16 but leave the possibility of him returning before the season ends.
As of November 18, the Packers have activated Lloyd from injured reserve, but it’s uncertain if they will follow through with the strategy of placing him back on IR to preserve his eligibility for a late-season return.
With MarShawn Lloyd Out, Emanuel Wilson Remains RB2
With MarShawn Lloyd sidelined indefinitely, the Packers are set to continue leaning on second-year running back Emanuel Wilson as their primary backup to Josh Jacobs.
While Wilson’s workload has been relatively modest, given Jacobs’ heavy usage—averaging 17.6 carries per game through the first 11 weeks—he has delivered when called upon. Wilson has rushed for 4.8 yards per attempt on 57 carries and caught nine of 12 targets for 47 yards. He has also scored two touchdowns this season, one on the ground and one through the air, marking the first of his career.
Jacobs remains the centerpiece of the Packers’ backfield with 838 rushing yards, the third-highest total in the NFL, but Wilson’s steady contributions have helped the team maintain balance despite Lloyd’s absence. The Packers are also without veteran A.J. Dillon, who was expected to be part of the rotation but suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason. Wilson’s emergence has been a crucial factor in keeping the Packers’ ground game effective under challenging circumstances.
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