GREEN BAY \u2014 Jordan Love isn\u2019t one for declarative statements. But the Green Bay Packers quarterback sure delivered one on Tuesday about the Packers\u2019 worst-in-the-NFL running game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think it has to get better,\u201d Love said in advance of Thursday night\u2019s prime-time matchup between the Packers (4-3) and Carolina Panthers (3-3) at Lambeau Field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think where we\u2019re at in the season, we\u2019ve made it by in a couple of these games, we\u2019ve leaned on the passing game, and I think the pass game has been good. And there\u2019s still a lot more out there for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if we want to be the team we want to be, we\u2019ve definitely got to improve the run game.\u201d<\/p>\n
In fairness, it\u2019s virtually impossible for it to be worse. Entering the NFL\u2019s Week 8 games, the Packers are dead last in the 32-team NFL in both rushing yards per game (59.9) and yards per attempt (2.91).<\/p>\n
And while former Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs\u2019 return to the lineup after missing six games while on the NFL\u2019s commissioner\u2019s exempt list didn\u2019t yield a whole lot of productivity \u2014 Jacobs carried 11 times for 36 yards, with a 10-yarder being his longest run \u2014 the idea of a fresh, motivated Jacobs does provide reason for hope.<\/p>\n
Once he shakes off the rust that accumulated on his game while not being able to practice or play for six weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I feel like towards the second half of the [Lions] game, I started to feel like, \u2018Alright, I’m starting to feel more like myself,\u2019\u201d Jacobs said Tuesday. \u201cSo just getting a couple more runs, getting the ball in space hopefully a little bit. That’ll help with all of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked what feeling rusty felt like, Jacobs replied, \u201cJust be quicker. I would say some of my reads, just quicker steps. Just stuff that comes with playing ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added head coach Matt LaFleur: \u201cHe’s just getting back into it. I was happy with his performance. I loved how he brought a lot of just physicality, toughness. He brings an edge to our team when he’s around the guys.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s a lot of factors that play into [the poor run-game numbers]. It’s never just one guy. It’s all 11.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking of which, the health of some of those other 10 could potentially complicate matters.<\/p>\n
The Packers\u2019 offensive line will likely once again be in flux. Having lost starting center Sean Rhyan (ankle) and backup center Jacob Monk (quadriceps) to injuries in a nine-play span at the start of their 20-17 loss to the Lions, John Williams appears to be in line to start at center against the Panthers.<\/p>\n
The Packers could also start Donovan Jennings or rookie Jager Burton, both of whom were inactive against the Lions but had greater center experience before Sunday. Williams wound up playing 58 snaps and more than held his own.<\/p>\n
On top of that, right guard Travis Glover suffered a knee injury against the Lions, and although he did finish the game and play all 67 offensive snaps, he was estimated to be a non-participant had the Packers held actual practices on Monday and Tuesday.<\/p>\n
His injury could open the door for 36-year-old, 15-year veteran Kevin Zeitler, the former University of Wisconsin all-American, to see his first action on offense since signing with this home-state team on Sept. 30.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously this week we have a different group of guys up there, so it’s going to be a feel-out process,\u201d Jacobs said. \u201cBut we’ll see how it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
But as far as Love is concerned, having Jacobs back in the mix is a great place to start.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis presence, the leadership, all those things \u2014 you could feel that when he\u2019s back in the lineup,\u201d Love said. \u201cHis expertise, his experience in the run game, the vision he has, his ability to break tackles and stay up through contact, things like that \u2014 all those things will improve [the production] slightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I still there\u2019s more for us as a whole offense where everybody can really dive in and just figure out what we can improve on in that run game so we can start hitting some bigger chunks there. But definitely just having him back out there was great.\u201d<\/p>\n
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