Tracy Wolfson, a sideline reporter, offered insight into how Green Bay could distribute carries in the absence of Jacobs. She suggested that MarShawn Lloyd is set for a significant role, given the Packers’ belief in his explosiveness, though his injury history necessitates careful management. Beyond Lloyd, Wolfson indicated that the Packers trust Chris Brooks the most in pass protection against Brian Flores’ defensive schemes, with Kaleb Johnson still ramping up to full speed.
Chris Brooks, a 6-foot-1, 219-pound back who joined Green Bay as an undrafted free agent, has long been valued for his versatility. He isn’t a traditional feature back, but his contributions extend beyond rushing, including a notable role on special teams. Brooks’ ability to contribute in multiple phases could be especially important against a Minnesota defense that is known for its aggressive blitz packages and pressure-heavy schemes under Flores. The defensive coordinator’s approach has been described as high-pressure, emphasizing quarterback protection and blocking challenges before the snap.
Brooks’ reputation inside the Packers organization centers on his all-around game. While he has not been a volume rusher, his effectiveness in other areas — particularly in pass protection and run blocking — has kept him in the rotation. In August 2025, the head coach highlighted Brooks as a strong protector with dependable hands and versatility as a receiver out of the backfield, underscoring why he might be trusted in critical situations against Minnesota’s defensive front.
The absence of Jacobs has forced Green Bay to reconfigure its depth chart at running back. Lloyd stands out as the most promising option among the healthy backs on the roster, with the potential to handle meaningful touches. Johnson, who arrived via a trade, provides a bigger-body option at 224 pounds and offers a different profile that the Packers can deploy to matchup with Minnesota’s front. Brooks remains the steady, versatile addition who can contribute in multiple phases.
In this setup, the Packers’ Week 1 plan may hinge on Brooks’ ability to contribute beyond traditional rushing totals. Last season, he accumulated 106 rushing yards on 27 carries and added 91 receiving yards on 13 catches across 17 games, numbers that don’t tell the full story of his value to the offense. His role on special teams, where he recorded a career-high 14 tackles in 2025 (tied for the team lead among backs and fullbacks since 2003), demonstrates his all-around impact and may further justify a larger role in the offense as Green Bay protects quarterback Jordan Love and handles Minnesota’s pressure packages.
Minnesota’s defensive approach under Flores emphasizes blitzes and pressure, aiming to disrupt protections and create negative plays. The Packers may therefore depend on their backs to diagnose and adjust to pre-snap and post-snap pressure, maintaining solid protection while generating efficient runs and reliable checks in the passing game. Love’s ability to operate under these pressures could be as important as any ground gain, making Brooks’ blocking and pass-protection skills particularly valuable.
In summary, with Jacobs unavailable, Green Bay’s backfield could see a larger-than-expected role for Chris Brooks, complemented by MarShawn Lloyd’s developing workload and Kaleb Johnson’s growing involvement. Brooks’ protection and hands, along with his versatility, position him as a quiet linchpin in the game plan, especially if Minnesota’s defense continues to deploy aggressive pressure schemes. The Packers will likely lean on a versatile trio in Lloyd, Brooks, and Johnson, with Brooks serving as a trusted anchor in protection and as a reliable contributor in multiple facets of the offense. The Week 1 matchup promises to test how Green Bay deploys its running backs to navigate Flores’ defense while safeguarding Jordan Love.
