How Long Will MarShawn Lloyd Be Out? Latest Injury Update on Packers RB

It’s been an injury-plagued campaign for RB MarShawn Lloyd. Here’s the latest on Lloyd’s ailments and when the Packers rookie might return.

A litany of injuries have kept Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd sidelined for most of the 2024 NFL season. After his latest setback, Lloyd is running out of time to make an impact for one of the NFC’s top contenders.

Here’s the latest on the Green Bay rookie’s injury situation and how the team has dealt with his absence.

What Is MarShawn Lloyd’s Injury?

Lloyd has been a fixture on the Packers injury report this season. He dealt with myriad injuries over the summer, played his only career game to date in Week 2 vs. the Indianapolis Colts, and was then placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury after Week 2.

Then, appendicitis has kept the promising rookie sidelined.

Lloyd woke up on the morning of Nov. 2 with the illness. He didn’t practice during the week and has seen his expected return to play timeline delayed as a result.

When Will Lloyd Return From Injury?

Green Bay had already opened Lloyd’s 21-day practice window following his ankle injury and subsequent stint on injured reserve, complicating the situation since appendicitis requires multiple weeks of recovery.

After consulting with the league, the Packers placed him on the non-football injury/illness (NFI) list to allow him to recover from appendicitis and still play this season. Lloyd’s year would have ended if the Packers simply left him on IR without activating him after the end of his practice window.

Lloyd has missed his required four games and is eligible to return for the team’s next game in Week 15. The Packers close the season with games against the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears.

The Packers hold a 9-4 record, having won seven of their last nine games. However, all four of those losses have come against the three teams with a better record than them in the NFC (the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles). As a result, Green Bay sits third in the NFC North, though they’re a relative lock to make the playoffs.

How Has Lloyd’s Absence Impacted the Packers?

Lloyd’s injury troubles have been an opportunity for 2023 undrafted free agent Emanuel Wilson. While free agent signing Josh Jacobs has carried most of the load, Wilson has been a valuable change-of-pace back and a reliable option for times when Jacobs needs a respite.

Wilson has 339 rushing yards and one touchdown on 69 carries this season, and he’s also added another touchdown and 46 yards on nine catches.

Second-year undrafted pro Chris Brooks has also worked his way into the mix recently. Brooks had only seven carries over the first seven weeks of the season but has since carved out a small change-of-pace role. For the season, Brooks has 95 rush yards on 21 carries and nine catches for 58 yards.

Given Jacobs’ presence as the team’s bell cow and a pair of effective passing-down backs in Wilson and Brooks, it’s unlikely Lloyd will figure much into the plans even when he’s healthy. His professional career will most likely begin in earnest if he has a healthy 2025 offseason program to work his way into the mix next season.