Packers RB Josh Jacobs to miss time after surgery for broken finger, status TBD

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will miss time after needing surgery on a broken finger, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday.

LaFleur said the injury occurred during the team’s game at New England and that Jacobs will be sidelined immediately while he recovers, with the length of the absence still to be determined.

The coach said the surgery should take place during the week, explaining it was not feasible for Jacobs to play without the procedure after he attempted to return with no grip strength.

While LaFleur did not rule out a stint on injured reserve, he did not confirm a specific duration for Jacobs’ absence. A return date was not provided.

With the NFL trade deadline approaching Tuesday afternoon, LaFleur said the Packers are not necessarily looking to make a running back move, citing internal factors and upcoming return possibilities.

On the roster side, LaFleur said he believes Chris Brooks has a “good chance” to return from injured reserve this week. He added that Kaleb Johnson’s 68-yard rushing performance against the Patriots was the best individual output by a Packers running back this season.

LaFleur also addressed linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper’s chest injury, saying Hopper may not miss additional time after the ailment that limited him earlier in the Patriots game. He credited Nick Niemann for playing 59 defensive snaps and 25 special-teams snaps in Hopper’s absence.