The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers will square off in the opening NFL game of 2024 on Friday night. Since this is the first NFL game to be played in South America, the match will be historic. The two teams left earlier this week for Sao Paolo, Brazil, where their seasons will begin.
However, the Packers were concerned about a few injuries within a critical position group before the game. Running backs Marshawn Lloyd, a rookie, and Emanuel Wilson were both listed on the injured report throughout the week. Lloyd just recently made his way back to practice following a more than two-week absence due to a hamstring ailment.
A hip issue also befell him early in training camp.
Ellis Merriweather, a 38-year-old Green Bay Packers running back, is elevated to the active roster ahead of the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 24, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Merriweather runs the ball during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reports that Ellis Merriweather, a running back, was raised by the Packers earlier today from their practice squad so he could play against the Eagles.
The team presumably took this action since they don’t know how much Wilson and/or Lloyd will be able to play. When the 53-man rosters were revealed, AJ Dillon, who was expected to be the team’s backup running back once more this season, was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
This was Dillon’s second stinger in nine months during training camp.
Running back Josh Jacobs is the starting option for the Green Bay Packers.
Josh Jacobs, a running back for the Green Bay Packers, gets eight carries during minicamp on June 11, 2024, in Green Bay, WI, USA. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Mark Hoffman
Naturally, Josh Jacobs, the 2022 NFL rushing leader, is the starting running back for the Packers. Earlier this year, they inked Jacobs to a four-year, $48 million contract. He had a disappointing season with the Las Vegas Raiders, missing the final four games of 2023 due to a quad injury.
But with the Packers, whose attack, led by quarterback Jordan Love, is anticipated to be among the most explosive in the NFL, Jacobs is anticipated to make a significant recovery. For Jacobs, who has played with subpar quarterbacks in Vegas for the past two years, this will be a drastically different experience.
Love is not only a more capable quarterback than the ones Jacobs is used to, but he also has a dynamic bunch of pass catchers spread out over the depth chart. Davante Adams, an All-Pro and former Packer, controlled most of the targets in Vegas. He was the best player on the team by far.
Leave a Reply