Green Bay Packers Activate MarShawn Lloyd from Injured Reserve, But Setback Delays Return
The Green Bay Packers have officially activated running back MarShawn Lloyd off injured reserve on Monday, offering a glimmer of hope for his return to the field. Lloyd, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, had been trending toward a return for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears after practicing earlier in the week. However, just as his comeback seemed imminent, Lloyd was struck by a new health issue. On Friday, the rookie was diagnosed with appendicitis, requiring immediate surgery. As a result, Lloyd’s return to the Packers lineup has been delayed indefinitely.
With Lloyd’s 21-day practice window set to expire, the Packers faced a tough decision on Monday. They had to either place him back on injured reserve, which would have ended his season, or add him to the 53-man roster. Given their roster situation, with only 52 players currently on the active roster, the team chose to add Lloyd to the roster without the need for a corresponding move. While this move keeps Lloyd eligible to return later in the season, the Packers may transfer him to the non-football injury (NFI) list in the coming days. If this happens, Lloyd will be able to return to practice once he is healthy, and his 21-day practice window would be reopened.
The Packers have used two of their eight available “designated-for-return” transactions so far this season, with Lloyd and defensive tackle Jonathan Ford both being moved off injured reserve. While it is not yet clear whether the team will opt to transfer Lloyd to the NFI list, they have the flexibility to do so, as tight end Luke Musgrave is the only other player eligible for designation. The Packers have been cautious with their roster decisions, especially with key players like Lloyd, who showed immense potential during his brief appearance earlier this season.
Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich expressed optimism about Lloyd’s eventual return, citing his explosive potential and versatility. Before his injury, Lloyd demonstrated his quickness, receiving ability, and playmaking potential in the Packers’ lone game against the Indianapolis Colts. Stenavich had been eager to integrate Lloyd into the offensive scheme, particularly after the team’s bye week, when the coaching staff analyzed game tape and identified the rookie as a key contributor moving forward. However, with his recent setback, the Packers are being prudent with Lloyd’s recovery timeline, hoping to avoid rushing him back prematurely.
In other injury news, cornerback Jaire Alexander, who had missed the previous game against Detroit due to a knee injury, made his return against the Bears. However, his appearance was short-lived, as he played just 10 snaps before being ruled out for the rest of the game. Alexander did not re-aggravate the knee injury, but he did not feel well enough to continue playing. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that the decision to pull Alexander was made out of caution, as the team felt it was better to keep him healthy for the upcoming stretch of critical games.
The Packers are entering a challenging stretch of their schedule, with high-profile matchups against the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and divisional rival Detroit Lions looming on the horizon. Alexander’s health will be crucial, as the Packers are set to face some of the league’s top quarterbacks in the final stretch of the regular season. While Alexander has only played 56.1 percent of defensive snaps this year, his presence on the field is vital to the team’s success in the secondary. LaFleur acknowledged the risk of playing Alexander in limited snaps, but the hope is that he will be fully ready to contribute as the Packers push for a playoff spot.