Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs had surgery Friday to repair a fractured right ring finger, but he may not be sidelined for long. He is expected to miss no more than three weeks, including the Packers’ Week 11 bye, putting a return in Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints within reach. He could potentially be back as soon as Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Jacobs was injured during Green Bay’s 45-27 win over the New England Patriots in Week 9. He played one quarter, finishing with four carries for five yards, before leaving the game. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Jacobs was having difficulty gripping the ball, and surgery was required. The injury rules him out of Sunday’s NFC North matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Earlier in the week, LaFleur had not ruled out placing Jacobs on injured reserve, which would have required him to miss at least four games. The Packers ultimately received a more encouraging outlook after the procedure.
## Kaleb Johnson Steps In Against Minnesota
With Jacobs unavailable, Kaleb Johnson is expected to get an opportunity against the Vikings. Green Bay acquired the running back from the Pittsburgh Steelers in late August in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round pick. After being inactive for two consecutive games, Johnson entered the Patriots game when Jacobs went down and recorded the Packers’ best rushing performance of the season: 14 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Jacobs has recorded 36 carries for 80 yards and one touchdown across three games this season, averaging 2.2 yards per carry. The Packers struggled to run the ball during his earlier absence, averaging 59.8 rushing yards per game through the first six weeks.
MarShawn Lloyd, who missed Week 9 with a knee injury, was not given a game status on Friday’s final injury report. Chris Brooks is listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Green Bay enters the matchup at 6-3, yet sits last in the NFC North, where every team has at least six wins. The Vikings are 6-2 and will be without quarterback Kyler Murray. Kirk Cousins, acquired midweek from the Las Vegas Raiders, is set to make his first start for Minnesota. The Vikings won the teams’ Week 1 meeting, 39-22; Jacobs also missed that game.
