Despite limited practice all week, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is out with an injury for Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions.
That means the three-time Pro Bowler has the green light to compete in the Thanksgiving Day classic.
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After Jacobs suffered a knee injury during the Week 11 victory over the New York Giants.He assured reporters that he would miss a maximum of one game.
It turns out Jacobs was right.
Emanuel Wilson had a lot of work to do in his absence last week. Helping Green Bay defeat the struggling Minnesota Vikings, Wilson had 28 carries, 107 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, all career highs, in his first NFL start.
Wilson, a former undrafted free agent out of Division II Fort Valley State, picked up where he left off, rushing 40 yards for a score to relieve Jacobs against the Giants. He has proven to be a productive back row player. While Jacobs remains Green Bay's top running back, Wilson gives the Packers some extra depth in the running game.
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Last week, Jacobs described his injury as a bruised knee. He told reporters that he hit him, which also resulted in a hip bruise.
He said it caused problems with range of motion due to swelling and stiffness. But the 2019 first-round pick, who rushed for 1,329 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns last season, will be back in action Thursday against the Lions.
However, the Packers will be without wide receiver Jaden Reed, for whom they opened a 21-day training window last week. Reed is still on injured reserve completing his recovery from foot and collarbone surgeries.
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Reed is one of four Green Bay players ejected from Thursday's game. The others are cornerback Lucas Van Ness (leg), cornerback Carl Brooks (ankle) and kick receiver/returner Savion Williams (leg).
Wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) is questionable after missing last week's game against the Vikings. If the Packers are thinner at receiver, Jacobs' presence will come in handy.
