Packers’ Aaron Jones ‘Week-to-Week,’ Unlikely To Play On Thanksgiving

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones suffered an MCL sprain in Week 11 against the Chargers and is unlikely to play on Thanksgiving. Back-up AJ Dillon is also nursing an injury but will reportedly be available.

“If it was my ACL, then I’m done for the season,” Jones told The Athletic after the game. “I put in a lot of work and time in here with these guys, it felt like, ‘Man, I can’t catch a break,’ but I caught a break. I hope it’s not anything serious, and I’ll be back here.”

Though Jones’ injury will not end his season, it could be a persisting issue for him as the regular season comes to a close. The Packers are slowly fading away from the playoff picture already, but any long-term absence for Jones could eliminate any remaining chance they have.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that Jones’ injury was not serious, meaning that he did not expect him to miss significant time. He did admit to being concerned, however, noting that it “did not look good” after Jones was carted off the field.

With Jones out, Dillon is the natural starter and received 14 carries with Jones out last weekend. He has been able to play through a groin injury for several weeks and logged a limited practice Thursday. Third-string running back Emanuel Wilson is also injured and is not trending in the right direction.

This leaves running back Patrick Taylor as the only other option to play behind Dillon. Taylor signed with the team off of the Patriots’ practice squad Monday. He was a member of the Packers in 2021 and 2022, participating in 24 games.

“You gotta be ready for your opportunity,” Taylor said after signing. “I’m a smart guy. I’ve been in this offense for four years, so it’s not really hard for me to just pick it right back up. I think they’re running the same general stuff that they were before I left, so it’s pretty easy for me to pick it up.”