Packers may have to face 49ers without top 3 running backs

Green Bay Packers could be missing ir top three running backs when y visit San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

Green Bay has placed running backs A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams plus linebacker Kamal Martin on COVID-19 reserve list over past two days. That makes all three players unavailable for Thursday’s game according to NFL protocols.

Packers’ leading rusher is Aaron Jones, whose status remains uncertain for this week after he missed Green Bay’s past two games with a calf injury.

“We'll give him up to game time, and n we'll figure it out,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Jones' status. “We'll see.”

Packers (5-2) knew y’d be facing this obstacle once y learned Monday of Dillon’s positive test. Williams and Martin were added to COVID-19 reserve list Tuesday because league determined y had high-risk close contacts with someone who was infected.

Williams had rushed for 152 yards and caught 10 passes over past two games while Jones was sidelined. Dillon, a rookie second-round pick from Boston College, had five carries for 21 yards and a 16-yard reception Sunday in a 28-22 loss to Minnesota Vikings.

Packers would be in a major bind if y’re also without Jones, who has rushed for 389 yards and has seven total touchdowns (five rushing, two receiving) in five games.

Green Bay’s only or running backs are Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams, who isn’t related to Jamaal Williams.

“Those guys work hard, and y've been a part of our system w for over a year and y kw what expectations and standards are,” LaFleur said. “It was good work for m to get reps today. We'll see come game time if Aaron Jones can go or t.”

Ervin, who also returns kicks and lines up at receiver, has rushed four times for 43 yards and caught six passes for 33 yards this season. He missed two games because of an injury.

2016 fourth-round pick from San Jose State has 10 career carries. Packers claimed him off waivers last December and re-signed him in March.

“He can do a lot,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “I think it’s important we don’t put too much on his plate. He’s been in receiver room for a majority of year. He’s been a great returner for us. He’s obviously coming back from his hand injury, which has kept him out of a lot of return stuff. But he’s versatile guy.”

Dexter Williams, currently on Green Bay’s practice squad, has played one game this season without any carries. 2019 sixth-round pick from tre Dame had five carries for 11 yards last year. Rodgers said Williams has a “really good attitude” and has "done a nice job of growing up in offense and feeling more comfortable with checks and his responsibilities in pass-blocking and route-running.”

“ one thing I'll tell you about Dexter Williams is he has worked his tail off, and he does that on a daily basis,” LaFleur said. “He prepares as hard as anybody we have.”

Even with all ir issues at running back, Packers are much closer to full strength than 49ers (4-4) heading into Thursday’s game.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) and All-Pro tight end George Kittle (foot) are out indefinitely after getting hurt Sunday in a 37-27 loss to Seattle Seahawks. Or injured 49ers include receiver Deebo Samuel, cornerback Richard Sherman, pass rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford and running backs Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Jeff Wilson Jr.

“By means do you ever want this,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “You want all your guys and you want to be going as good as you can. But you have to embrace everything. You’ve got to embrace quick turnaround with Thursday night football. You’ve got to embrace injuries. You’ve got to embrace everything. game’s too hard that if you go in thinking any or way, I mean, n you give yourself chance.”

Im credits: AP