Who’s going to play running back for the Green Bay Packers this week? That’s one question that is yet to be answered, although it appears rookie Don Jackson — who injured his hand after just two carries in his NFL debut last week — will be available.
Tests on #Packers RB Don Jackson's left hand did not show a break, I'm told. Swelling is down. If he can grip a ball, he could play Sunday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2016
Jackson is by default currently at the top of the Packers’ running back depth chart. James Starks is technically listed as No. 1, but he’s sidelined with a knee injury. Jackson is ahead of Knile Davis, who also got just two carries in his Packers’ debut last week, despite being healthy.
Of course, we haven’t mentioned receiver Ty Montgomery, who has played extensively at running back and has been the Packers’ best offensive player the past two weeks. Montgomery has 20 receptions for 164 yards and 12 carries for 66 yards over that two-game stretch.
In theory, the Packers should continue to use Montgomery in the backfield because of the match-up problems he creates. But this is Mike McCarthy we’re talking about, so you can probably throw that sound reasoning out the window.
And when that’s done, Jackson will likely end up getting the majority of the carries. Davis should also be in line for a larger role now that he’s actually had more than two days to learn the offense.