Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, who has missed three of the last four games due to a hamstring injury, could return this week for what appears to be a prime matchup on Sunday afternoon against the Denver Broncos.
Jones practiced on Monday. The bye week gave the veteran running back an excellent opportunity to rest his hamstring and get closer to 100 percent for an important stretch of games, starting Sunday in Denver.
The Packers won’t put out an injury report until Wednesday but Jones’ participation on Monday is a good sign that he’s on track for Sunday.
What’s awaiting him if he’s ready? A Broncos defense that is giving up 4.6 yards per carry overall — the worst mark in the NFL — and has been terrorized by running backs this season.
The Broncos have allowed 170 or more rushing yards in three of six games. Against running backs specifically, the Broncos have allowed the NFL’s most rushing yards, the second-most rushing touchdowns, the second-most receiving yards, the most receiving touchdowns and the most total yards and total touchdowns to the position entering Week 7.
It’s worth noting that a big chunk of the running back production allowed by the Broncos came during the 70-20 disaster against the Miami Dolphins. De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and Chris Brooks combined for over 300 total rushing yards. But the Broncos also allowed 177 rushing yards to Jets running back Breece Hall, 129 total yards and two scores to Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., 103 rushing yards to Bears running back Khalil Herbert and 98 total yards to Chiefs running back Isaiah Pacheco, so the Dolphins running backs weren’t the only ones to feast against Denver’s struggling defense.
If Jones returns, expect the Packers to ease him back into action. But coming out of the bye on a two-game losing streak and increasingly desperate to kickstart the offense, Matt LaFleur’s team must begin leaning into Jones as the focal point of the offense, especially in a matchup so kind — at least on paper — for a dynamic runner like Jones.
LaFleur called Jones an “explosive playmaker” who can “tilt the field in your favor.” The Packers just haven’t had him available much this season.
Jones has played 48 total snaps and has 17 total touches in 2023. He played three quarters in Chicago, missed two games, played 20 total snaps in a loss to Detroit and then missed another game. The Packers must find the balance between managing a tricky injury while still getting the most out of the offense’s most important player.