The Green Bay Packers revamped their backfield this past offseason by moving on from longtime starter Aaron Jones. Green Bay’s flurry of moves at running back was capped off by selecting MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Yet, the Packers’ rookie running back has been unable to stay on the field this season. Let’s examine why Lloyd is currently sidelined, his rocky rookie season, and what it means moving forward in Green Bay.
Why Isn’t MarShawn Lloyd Playing?
When the Packers drafted Lloyd, he was set to join All-Pro running back Josh Jacobs and the veteran AJ Dillon in the backfield. Green Bay envisioned a significant role for the rookie RB, but Lloyd’s been unable to stay on the field in 2024.
Since arriving in Green Bay, Lloyd has dealt with a plethora of injuries. At training camp, he suffered a hip injury that kept him out of practice shortly after reporting.
Once Lloyd was finally able to return to the field, he suffered a hamstring injury in his first preseason game after just one carry. Following a lengthy recovery from that injury, he was finally able to make his NFL regular season debut in Week 2.
Lloyd had seven total touches for 18 total yards in his debut game against the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately for the Packers’ rookie, he suffered another injury — this time his ankle — in the game.
As a result, the Packers placed Lloyd on injured reserve, forcing him to miss a minimum of four games after an already rocky start to his NFL career. He eventually returned to practice, though, after Green Bay opened up his 21-day practice window.
Lloyd was expected to finally return to action against the Chicago Bears in Week 11, but his rookie season took another unexpected turn. On the Friday ahead of his highly anticipated return, Lloyd reported to the team that he felt pain in his abdomen and was sent to get checked.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur later revealed that Lloyd was dealing with appendicitis, and Green Bay was ultimately forced to place the rookie running back on the non-football injury/illness (NFI) list.
“You can’t make this stuff up. Unfortunately, he had appendicitis,” LaFleur said following Lloyd’s latest medical hurdle. “It’s a shame. He was making progress. But he’ll rebound, I’m confident in that, that’s what I told him. But it’s a shame, certainly.”
Lloyd will be forced to miss at least four games after landing on the NFI list. He’ll be eligible to return in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. However, given Lloyd’s injury-riddled rookie season, nothing is certain with the Packers’ running back.