Imagine your favorite football team facing the league's top-ranked defense with a depleted backfield. That's the reality for the Green Bay Packers this Sunday as they prepare to battle the Denver Broncos. But here's where it gets tricky: the Packers have added running back Emanuel Wilson to the injury report due to illness, leaving their already thin running back corps in a precarious position. To address this, they've elevated Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad, a move that could prove crucial in their upcoming matchup.
Wilson, who was expected to step into a larger role—possibly even starting in place of Josh Jacobs—is now listed as questionable. Jacobs himself is also questionable, having only practiced once this week due to ongoing knee issues. This leaves Chris Brooks as the only healthy running back on the 53-man roster, making Strong's elevation not just strategic but essential. And this is the part most people miss: Strong, a 2022 fourth-round pick with 46 career games under his belt, has shown versatility with 692 yards on 125 touches and 24 kickoff returns. However, he’s yet to be active in a game this season despite previous elevations in Weeks 7 and 12.
The Packers’ reliance on practice squad elevations this season has been notable, with players like Micah Robinson, Arron Mosby, and Jamon Johnson also getting the call-up. But with Strong now out of elevations, the team’s options are limited. Here’s the controversial part: Is the Packers’ backfield depth a ticking time bomb, or can Strong and Brooks step up against the NFL’s stingiest run defense? And what does this say about the team’s long-term strategy at the running back position?
As the Packers gear up for this high-stakes showdown, one thing is clear: their running game is at a crossroads. Will they find a way to thrive, or will injuries and defensive pressure prove too much to handle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Strong can make an impact, or is this a recipe for disaster?
