It’s still possible the Green Bay Packers will return rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd before the end of this season, according to coach Matt LaFleur.
Lloyd, who hasn’t played since Week 2, is still on the non-football illness list but is eligible to return at any time. LaFleur said the Packers won’t rush him back but will keep the door open to a return with three games to go.
“I never want to shut the door on that. If he’s able to,” LaFleur said Thursday. “We’re getting down towards the end here, but I never want to shut that door totally. He’s going to focus on continuing to get better, and when he can go, he’ll go.”
Lloyd has been through the wringer as a rookie. He injured his hip to start training camp. He injured his hamstring during the first preseason game. He injured his ankle in his NFL regular season debut. And then he needed a surprise appendectomy just as he was about to return from injured reserve.
Lloyd will need to get back on the practice field first. And before he can practice, he needs to be activated from the non-football illness list to the 53-man roster.
The Packers are rolling with likely Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs, who has 293 touches this season, and backups Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks. Lloyd, however, could add a dynamic option down the stretch if he’s able to return and get up to speed.
In his only game action this season, Lloyd rushed six times for 15 yards and caught one pass.
Jordan Love ascending
LaFleur believes quarterback Jordan Love is playing his best football to end the 2024 season. The Packers coach sees his quarterback manipulating the pocket and making good decisions with the football at a high level since the bye.
“I think this is the best ball he’s played,” LaFleur said. “I think he’s playing at a really high level.”
Over the last five games, Love has thrown eight touchdown passes and only one interception while posting five straight games with a passer rating of 100.0 or better. He’s completing 68.7 percent of his passes with an overall passer rating of 119.9, and he leads the NFL in yards per attempt (9.9) since Week 11.
Arguably nothing is more important for postseason success than a top quarterback playing at an elite level. The Packers appear to have that box checked as January nears.
The Saints have allowed only 14 touchdown passes this season, and no team has scored more than 21 points against New Orleans over the last five games. Can Love remain hot against an underrated defense?
Jaire update
LaFleur said cornerback Jaire Alexander was a full participant during Thursday’s practice but a review of the practice tape will be required before the team knows anything more about his potential return this week.
“I can tell you after I watch the tape,” LaFleur said. “He was out there. He was full. We’ll look at the tape and hopefully we can build on that and have a great day tomorrow.”
Alexander, who first injured his knee in late October, practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday last week but didn’t show enough physically during the two practices to prove he was ready to play in a game. Alexander has missed four straight games and five of the last six since suffering the injury in Jacksonville in Week 8.
The Packers will practice again Friday.