Packers’ Running Game Problem May Finally Have an Answer Ahead of Lions Clash

The Green Bay Packers made several roster moves on October 24 ahead of their Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions.

The team also made changes to its defensive line, wide receiver group and practice squad ahead of the matchup.

Packers make roster moves as rushing game struggles

The Green Bay Packers activated running back Josh Jacobs to their 53-man roster on October 24 ahead of their Week 7 game against the Detroit Lions. His return comes as Green Bay’s offense struggles to establish a consistent running game. The Packers also activated defensive tackle Jordon Riley, signed wide receiver Coleman Owen to the active roster and elevated edge defender Arron Mosby from the practice squad.

Wendell Ferreira reported the moves in a post on X, writing, “The Packers activated Josh Jacobs and made several other roster moves ahead of the Lions game in Week 7.”

Jacobs, 28, missed the Packers’ first six games of the 2026 season after being placed on the NFL’s Commissioner’s Exempt List following a May incident that led to legal charges. The NFL removed him from the list on October 19, and Green Bay added him to its active roster five days later.

On September 10, Jacobs entered no-contest pleas to two misdemeanor charges involving battery and property damage. His return to the roster did not conclude the NFL’s investigation under its Personal Conduct Policy.

During Jacobs’ absence, Green Bay recorded 359 rushing yards through its first six games, averaging 59.8 yards per game and 2.9 yards per carry. Both figures ranked last in the league.

MarShawn Lloyd led Green Bay’s running backs during Jacobs’ absence with 122 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 10 receptions and a receiving touchdown. Chris Brooks was placed on injured reserve on October 10 because of an injury, reducing the team’s available options at running back.

Jacobs recorded 929 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns during the 2025 season. Across his first two seasons with Green Bay, he accumulated 2,258 rushing yards, 624 receiving yards and 30 total touchdowns in 32 games. Before joining the Packers, he played for the Las Vegas Raiders and led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times.

The Packers also promoted Owen, 25, from their practice squad to the 53-man roster. He joined Green Bay’s practice squad on September 30 after a stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025 before he later joined Green Bay. Against the Dallas Cowboys the previous week, Owen recorded a 16-yard punt return.

Riley was activated from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list on October 24, returning the defensive tackle to the active roster. Mosby received a game-day elevation from the practice squad for the Detroit matchup. Unlike a permanent signing, the elevation was a temporary roster move for that game. Both Mosby and Owen had contributed on special teams against the Cowboys the previous week.

The Green Bay Packers entered the October 25 matchup with a 4–2 record, while Detroit had a 3–2 record. The game was scheduled to take place in Detroit as the Packers finalized their preparations for the Week 7 meeting with the Lions.

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