Vikings Could Face Shorthanded Version of the Packers
The Minnesota Vikings have won back-to-back games at Lambeau Field, hoping to make it three this Sunday in Week 12. During the contest, the Green Bay Packers could be without running back Josh Jacobs.
The Minnesota Vikings could face a shorthanded version of the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 as injuries mount and key availability questions linger.
Jacobs was injured in Week 11 during a win over the New York Giants, casting his availability into doubt for the tilt with Minnesota.
Packers Could Face Vikings Sans RB Josh Jacobs
Jacobs is an integral part of Green Bay’s offense.
Week 12 Begins with Josh Jacobs Injury Questions
Jacobs sustained a knee injury in Week 11. The Athletic‘s Matt Schneidman noted, “Packers running back Josh Jacobs won’t need surgery or even a trip to the injured reserve list for a knee injury suffered during the first quarter of Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Giants, head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday.”
“LaFleur classified Jacobs’ injury as a knee contusion and said the running back could potentially play this Sunday against the Vikings at Lambeau Field.”
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky added, “Packers running back Josh Jacobs is considered week to week after additional tests Monday showed no structural damage to the knee he injured in Sunday’s win at the New York Giants, a source told ESPN.”
Green Bay has long-term postseason aspirations to consider, meaning that rushing Jacobs back for a team it might be able to beat without him — the Vikings — may not be wise.
Who’s Next if No Jacobs?
If Jacobs is not cleared by Sunday afternoon, RB2 Emanuel Wilson would take the baton, a veteran who has carried the ball 53 times this season for 220 yards and a touchdown. That’s 4.2 yards per carry. Decent.
Wilson is quite the step down from Jacobs, but it’s worth noting that the Vikings struggled against unsung running backs earlier this season, mainly Kenneth Gainwell of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin and Kimani Vidal of the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, Minnesota has somehow put the clamps on players like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
The team must be ready for Wilson. He’ll be hungry to state his RB1 case.
Vikings in Full — Perhaps Meaningless — Desperation Mode
When Jacobs or Wilson gets the nod this Sunday, one will face a Vikings team that absolutely must win to avoid total irrelevance for the rest of 2025. Minnesota is already an extreme long shot to reach the postseason — sportsbooks put the percentage at 7.0% — but, in theory, the purple team could finish 6-1 and later reach the January dance.
The margin for error, though, has been erased in the last two weeks with consecutive home losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears.
Sometimes, Brian Flores’ run defense shows up; sometimes, it does not.
A Verdict on Friday
The Packers will begin logging Jacobs’ practice status on Wednesday, probably needing at least limited participation on a day before Friday to have a chance for Week 12. On Minnesota’s end, fans will follow the same injury report for clarity on outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard’s shoulder status, along with center Ryan Kelly’s possible return from the concussion protocol.
Green Bay will provide a final designation on Jacobs this Friday, and a safe bet is “Questionable” if he practices at all.
SI.com on Jacobs, Wilson
Chris Wassel wrote Monday, “This is no season ending injury. Surgery will not be needed. The sky is not falling in Green Bay. If Jacobs misses one week, it will not be the end of the world. With the likely expectation that Jacobs will not go on Sunday, that means Emmanuel Wilson will likely start in his place. Wilson had 40 yards on 11 carries against the Giants with a touchdown.”
“His backup would be Chris Brooks. Brooks ran once for eight yards and had a key blitz pickup which helped Green Bay in their go-ahead drive. MarShawn Lloyd is ramping up his rehab but will not be ready for Week 12 certainly. This means Wilson and Brooks will carry the running load. Again, this may mean good things for Jordan Love.”
For the Vikings’ rushing offense, Jordan Mason and former Packer Aaron Jones will lead the way at Lambeau Field.
Wassel added, “Love looked pretty good as he threw multiple touchdowns for the first time in three weeks. Love has performed better of late on the road. Home losses to Philadelphia and Carolina saw him not throw a single touchdown. Allowing Love to have a few safety valves and throwing the ball more is not a bad thing.”
“Minnesota is susceptible to big plays from the running and passing games. Having some more 10+ yard play potential from the running backs is not a bad thing. Furthermore, allowing Jacobs to rest gets him ready for he coming weeks ahead.”
Jacobs ranks 16th in the NFL in rushing yards (648), powered by a surprisingly low 3.8 yards per rush attempt.
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