Unlucky Packers rookie now dealing with appendicitis

Matt LaFleur said rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd missed practice Friday while being treated for appendicitis, dealing the team’s third-round pick another medical setback in a rookie season filled with them. 

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd missed practice Friday while being treated for appendicitis, dealing the team’s third-round pick another medical setback in a rookie season already filled with them.

“You can’t make this stuff up. Unfortunately, he had appendicitis,” LaFleur said Friday. “It’s a shame. He was making progress. But he’ll rebound, I’m confident in that, that’s what I told him. But it’s a shame, certainly.”

Lloyd injured his hip soon after reporting to training camp, suffered a hamstring injury during the Packers’ first preseason game and then injured his ankle in his NFL debut in Week 2. Now, his return to the field will be delayed longer while recovering from an internal problem.

LaFleur said Lloyd felt pain in his abdomen this morning and was sent to get checked. He wasn’t sure if Lloyd had surgery or will have surgery to correct the issue, but the ailment often requires surgical intervention.

Lloyd was likely on track to being activated from injured reserve and playing Sunday against the Chicago Bears. LaFleur wasn’t sure how this new issue would affect Lloyd’s ability to come off injured reserve considering the Packers opened Lloyd’s 21-day practice window on Monday. By rule, the team has until Dec. 2 to activate him to the 53-man roster or Lloyd must miss the rest of the season. LaFleur said the Packers were in contact with the league on the problem.

In 2022, left tackle David Bakhtiari needed emergency surgery for appendicitis and missed almost a month of game action.

Lloyd has missed the last seven games with an ankle injury suffered in early September.

The assumption is Lloyd will remain on injured reserve and not play Sunday against the Bears. In one game this season, Lloyd rushed six times for 15 yards and caught one pass for three yards.