The Packers placed Dillon (neck) on injured reserve Tuesday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports. For the second time in the calendar year 2024, Dillon is dealing with a stinger, which will end his upcoming season before it even begins. With Dillon on IR, Josh Jacobs will have unfettered access to Green Bay's backfield, while rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson will serve as the reserves to begin the campaign.
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Status
IR - Neck - Stinger Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest AJ Dillon news
Team
Green Bay Packers
Birthdate
5/2/1998 (26)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
6'0", 247 lbs
Draft Info
2020: Rd 2; Pk (GB)
Birthplace
New London, CT, USA
Position
RB
College
Boston College
Experience
5 seasons
Career History
Green Bay Packers
2020-Present
(5 seasons)
The Packers placed Dillon (neck) on injured reserve Tuesday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports. For the second time in the calendar year 2024, Dillon is dealing with a stinger, which will end his upcoming season before it even begins. With Dillon on IR, Josh Jacobs will have unfettered access to Green Bay's backfield, while rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) and Emanuel Wilson will serve as the reserves to begin the campaign.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday that the Packers will be cautious with Dillon (neck) because "anytime you have a repeated injury there's concern," Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. Dillon missed Week 18 and two playoff games last season with a neck stinger, and he's now dealing with the same injury less than three weeks before Green Bay's Week 1 contest Sept. 6 against the Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Meanwhile, rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd is still recovering from a hamstring strain, leaving Emanuel Wilson, Ellis Merriweather and Nate McCrary as the depth backs behind Josh Jacobs. Wilson appears in good shape to clinch a spot on the Week 1 roster, and he might even get some carries if Dillon and Lloyd aren't available.
Dillon (shoulder) is not practicing Tuesday due to a stinger, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. Dillon's injury could prevent him from suiting up for Saturday's preseason finale against the Ravens, though he has plenty of time to recovery ahead of Green Bay's regular-season opener against the Eagles on Sept. 6. The veteran running back is looking like the favorite to open the 2024 campaign as the top backup to Josh Jacobs, though Emanuel Wilson and rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) are still contending for backfield standing.
Dillon had four carries for two yards in Saturday's preseason opener against the Browns. Dillon did not do much in the first game of the exhibition season, but he only saw action on Green Bay's second drive before calling it a day. Dillon looks like the favorite to snag the backup running back job behind Josh Jacobs -- particularly with rookie MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) missing time with a couple leg injuries -- but Emanuel Wilson is also contending for the job.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that Dillon has arrived at camp in the best shape he's ever seen him, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. The 247-pound back has always relied on power more than speed and agility, but even by that standard he looked sluggish last season en route to 3.4 yards per carry across 178 totes. Dillon's YPC mark has dropped with each passing year since the Packers took him late in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he failed to put up fantasy-worthy numbers last season even when Aaron Jones was inactive. Jones is now gone, replaced by Josh Jacobs and third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd, but the latter is absent from early training camp practices due to a hip injury. There are perhaps still obstacles ahead, namely Lloyd, but it sounds like Dillon is off to a strong start in his quest to maintain the No. 2 spot on Green Bay's backfield depth chart. Dillon re-signed with the Packers in March on a one-year, $2.74 million contract.
Dillon is expected to face competition from third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd for the Packers' No. 2 running back job behind Josh Jacobs, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. Dillon re-signed with the Packers on a four-year qualifying offer and isn't even considered a lock to make the Packers' 53-man roster, per Schneidman. Dillon averaged a career-worst 3.4 yards per carry in 2023, scoring just two touchdowns. He also was inactive for both of the team's playoff games due to a neck stinger. Green Bay likely hopes Lloyd shows enough to pass Dillon on the depth chart.
Dillon (thumb/neck) officially re-signed with the Packers on Friday. After missing the final three games of last season due to a neck stinger, Dillon was in danger of moving on to a new organization following the completion of his rookie contract, but the 2020 second-round pick will remain in Green Bay on what's called the four-year qualifying contract, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. With his signing made official by the NFL, Dillon will emerge from the early days of the new league year as the Packers' current No. 2 running back behind newcomer Josh Jacobs, who is taking over for the departed Aaron Jones (Vikings). If he's in that role Week 1 of the upcoming campaign, Dillon likely would be poised for his workload from the last three years, which amounted to nearly 13.0 touches per game.
Dillon (thumb/neck) is in line to re-sign with the Packers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Considering Dillon missed the last three games of the season (including playoffs) due to a neck stinger, his return to Green Bay is pending a physical. Assuming he clears that hurdle, he'll be a part of a revamped backfield with Josh Jacobs swapping in for Aaron Jones as the team's top runner. A 2020 second-round pick, Dillon averaged 59.8 yards from scrimmage per game and scored 16 total touchdowns in 49 contests over the last three campaigns.
With Aaron Jones (knee) ruled out for a second straight contest, Dillon again will get a chance to pace the Packers backfield. It should be noted that Dillon has dealt with a groin injury in back-to-back weeks, but he looked spry at times during the team's win at Detroit on Thanksgiving, turning 17 touches into 81 yards from scrimmage. A fruitful outing may be in store for him Sunday against a Kansas City defense that has allowed the second-most yards per carry (4.8) to opposing running backs this season.