The 2024 season for running back A.J. Dillon with the Green Bay Packers is over. The team placed Dillon, who suffered his second stinger injury in nine months at a practice earlier this month, on injured reserve without a return designation on Tuesday, which will end his season.
New NFL rules allow teams to place up to two players on injured reserve with a designation to return during final cutdowns to 53 players. The Packers used the designation on defensive lineman Jonathan Ford but did not with Dillon and tight end Tyler Davis.
Dillon suffered a stinger during the Packers’ joint practice with the Denver Broncos. He previously suffered a stinger during the Packers’ win over the Minnesota Vikings last December. The nerve injury can affect strength and function in a person’s arms and hands.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t sure if Dillon would be ready for Week 1 when asked following the preseason finale and said, on multiple occasions, that the team was still gathering information and opinions on Dillon’s injury. It’s possible the final diagnosis was far worse than first believed.
Dillon, a second-round pick of the Packers in 2020, returned to Green Bay on a one-year deal. This procedural roster move may end his time with the Packers. In fact, it’s possible Dillon and the Packers will eventually agree to an injury settlement that will remove him from injured reserve.
The Packers kept rookie MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson on the initial 53-man roster behind starter Josh Jacobs.
Dillon played in 60 games for the Packers over four seasons. He rushed 597 times for 2,428 yards and 16 touchdowns while catching 86 passes for 763 yards and two scores. Last season, Dillon rushed for 613 yards but averaged only 3.4 yards per attempt.