It appears the MetLifeStadium turf has claimed another victim.
While the Green Bay Packers left Sunday’s Week 11 game against the New York Giants with a 27-20 win, it came with a price.
Star running back Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season with the Packers last year, exited Sunday’s game in the first quarter with a concerning knee injury.
Jacobs had 40 yards on seven carries at the time of the injury, which seemed caused by the MetLife turf. As Jacobs was pushed out of bounds, his left knee made direct impact with the turf.
He returned after being evaluated in the blue medical tent, but he later headed to the locker room after favoring the same knee.
Josh Jacobs Likely to Miss Significant Time
Details and severity of Jacobs’ injury likely won’t be known until Monday morning when the former first-round pick undergoes further testing.
However, sports medicine physician and Injury Expertz CEO Jesse Morse had a grim outlook. Morse speculated that Jacobs suffered a PCL injury that could sideline him for a number of weeks.
“Left knee sprain, likely PCL,” Morse wrote on X. “You can see him land on a flexed knee here. These lead to a lot of instability in the knee and players have trouble stopping and starting.
“Same injury that sidelined Brock Bowers and Ricky Pearsall this year. If mild he could return in Week 12, but likely to miss 1-4+ weeks. Pearsall missed 6 games with a grade 2 PCL sprain.”
If Jacobs is sidelined for any significant amount of time over the next month, he could miss key games against the Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 23), Detroit Lions (Nov. 27), Chicago Bears (Dec. 7), and Denver Broncos (Dec. 14).
All four teams are still in the playoff hunt, and just three games separate the NFC North-leading Bears and the last-place Vikings. A half-game separates second-place Detroit and third-place Green Bay.
HC Matt LaFleur Speaks on Jacobs’ Prognosis
If there is a silver lining to Jacobs’ situation, it’s that it’s believed his injury won’t end his season.
“Josh Jacobs’ knee injury is not believed to be season-ending, but more tests will done on Monday back in Green Bay, per @RobDemovsky,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X.
After the game, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur affirmed the team is worried about the severity of Jacobs’ injury.
“I think anytime a player, especially of his magnitude, but anytime a player doesn’t finish a game, you’re always concerned about the welfare of them,” LaFleur said.
Heading into Week 11, Jacobs ranked second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (11), fourth in carries (162), and 14th in rushing yards (608).
With Jacobs out, the bulk of Green Bay’s carries will go to Emanuel Wilson. The 26-year-old tailback rushed 40 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries after replacing Jacobs against the Giants. He ranks second on the team in both rushes (42) and yards (180) this season.
The only other RB on the Packers roster is Chris Brooks. He has just 2 carries for 2 yards in 9 games. Green Bay will presumably make a roster move to add another RB. Elevating Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man roster makes the most sense.
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