The Green Bay Packers signed running back Chris Brooks to the 53-man roster from the practice squad after placing rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Brooks was signed to the Packers practice squad on Sept. 3. An undrafted free agent out of BYU, Brooks played in nine games for the Miami Dolphins as a rookie in 2023, rushing 19 times for 106 yards.
Brooks emerged as the top option from a stable of reserve options, including Ellis Merriweather, who was elevated to the gameday roster in Week 1, and veteran La’Mical Perine, who was released from the practice squad last week. Lloyd will be on injured reserve for at least four games, opening a door for Brooks to impress in a backup role behind Josh Jacobs and alongside Emanuel Wilson.
Brooks got carries in three games last season in Miami: vs. Broncos (nine carries, 66 yards), vs. Panthers (six, 28) and vs. Ravens (four, 12). He made one tackle while playing 13 special teams snaps in the Dolphins’ playoff loss to the Chiefs. According to Pro Football Focus, Brooks forced nine missed tackles and averaged over 5.0 yards per carry after first contact.
During the 2024 preseason, Brooks carried 17 times for 103 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Per PFF, he forced five missed tackles and had two runs over 20 yards. He scored a pair of touchdowns during the 2023 preseason.
Brooks has made plenty of big plays as a runner, including a 59-yard run in the 2024 preseason, a 52-yard run vs. the Broncos in Week 3 last year, a
28-yard run vs. the Panthers in Week 6 last year, a 52-yarder for BYU in 2022 and a 75-yard run for Cal in 2021.
The Packers face the Tennessee Titans. Brooks could be active as the No. 3 running back, especially in a run-heavy attack if Malik Willis is the starting quarterback.