National Sports

Packers hope Lloyd can spark run game

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay’s MarShawn Lloyd made his first career touchdown run one to remember.

The Packers hope it can spark their struggling ground attack.

Lloyd bulled his way past Chicago cornerback Jaylon Johnson and knocked him to the ground while completing a 7-yard score for the first of his two touchdowns during the Packers’ 31-7 victory over the Bears on Sunday.

“I’ve seen it a million times now,” Lloyd said Wednesday. “Everywhere I go, everyone’s showing me -- my family, everyone’s texting me and showing me the video. It’s been pretty cool, but now it’s kind of like on to the next. We have a big week this week. You do it once, but the good ones do it multiple times.”

Lloyd still must prove he has that kind of reliability after injuries essentially wiped out his first two NFL seasons. He gets his next chance Sunday night as the Packers host the Dallas Cowboys.

Injuries slowed

The 2024 third-round pick played a total of one game over his first two seasons. He’s been pressed into a featured role this year because three-time Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner’s exempt list.

His adjustment hasn’t been particularly smooth.

Green Bay (3-2) has won its past two games, but is averaging an NFL-low 60.4 yards rushing per game and 3.1 yards per carry -- ahead of only Las Vegas. Lloyd has a team-high 112 yards rushing while gaining only 2.8 yards per attempt.

The Packers have been looking for more from their running game. No wonder Lloyd’s physical touchdown run caught their attention.

“We watched that clip of his touchdown run so many times,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “That’s what it’s got to be. He knows what that is. You’ve got to run behind your pads.”

Learning on job

Lloyd also has 10 catches for 55 yards, and he scored his first overall touchdown on a 6-yard reception against the New York Jets on Sept. 20. Lloyd says he’s learning something new every week and cited a video he recently saw of Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor discussing some of his rushing philosophies.

“The best cut is no cut,” Lloyd said. “That’s what he said. In college, it’s a little different. You can cut here or cut there. In the NFL, the best cut is no cut. If it’s there, just hit.”

The Packers need Lloyd to produce. They don’t have many other options as long as Jacobs remains unavailable. Jacobs pleaded no contest last month to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a May 23 altercation with his then-girlfriend. Jacobs was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list after charges were filed against him in August.

Green Bay acquired Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers before the season, but he at least temporarily fell out of favor after fumbling on first-and-goal from the 3-yard line during the Packers’ 17-14 victory at Tampa Bay on Oct. 4.