The Green Bay Packers entered the 2026 offseason believing they still had untapped potential in former third-round running back MarShawn Lloyd. Instead, the conversation surrounding Lloyd has evolved into one of the franchise’s biggest uncertainties heading toward training camp.

After two injury-plagued NFL seasons filled with hamstring strains, calf injuries, ankle problems, and rehabilitation setbacks, Lloyd remains one of the most intriguing — and risky — players on Green Bay’s roster. The Packers continue to publicly support him, but questions are growing louder about whether the team can realistically depend on him as Josh Jacobs’ primary backup.

Now, with additional uncertainty surrounding Jacobs’ availability following legal troubles reported during offseason workouts, Lloyd’s health has suddenly become even more important to Green Bay’s offensive future.

A Promising Prospect Whose NFL Career Never Fully Started

When the Packers selected MarShawn Lloyd with the 88th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the organization believed it had found an explosive playmaker capable of thriving in Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Lloyd arrived in Green Bay after collegiate stops at South Carolina and USC, where scouts praised his burst, lateral agility, and ability to create explosive runs both between the tackles and on the perimeter.

At the time, he projected as a dynamic complement to Green Bay’s rushing attack.

Instead, his professional career has been dominated by injuries.

The lower-body issues began early and never truly stopped. Lloyd dealt with repeated hamstring strains, calf problems, ankle injuries, and lingering soft-tissue complications that limited him to just one game across his first two NFL seasons.

The situation became so concerning that Lloyd reportedly visited a biomechanics clinic in California during the 2025 season to determine why the injuries kept recurring. According to reporting cited by Packers columnist Pete Dougherty, specialists believed a previous ACL injury suffered in college may have contributed to the repeated muscle pulls and soft-tissue problems.

That revelation gave the Packers some optimism that the root cause had finally been identified.

Still, optimism and reliability are not the same thing.

Packers Still Taking a Major Gamble

Green Bay’s front office has made it clear that the organization still believes Lloyd can contribute if healthy.

But even within Packers circles, there is growing acknowledgment that counting on him carries significant risk.

In a Packers offseason mailbag, veteran columnist Pete Dougherty openly questioned whether Green Bay can enter the season with Lloyd locked in as the No. 2 running back behind Josh Jacobs.

Dougherty described backup running back as “a crucial position in Matt LaFleur’s offense” and emphasized the physical demands of the position.

“So yeah, I’m still thinking that somehow or other the Packers need to add another running back,” Dougherty wrote.

The concern is understandable. Running backs endure constant contact, and Green Bay’s offense depends heavily on versatility and depth at the position. If Jacobs were unavailable for any stretch, Lloyd would likely be expected to handle a dramatically larger workload despite having barely played professional football.

That uncertainty has fueled debate among Packers fans and NFL analysts throughout the offseason.

OTAs Reveal Familiar Concerns

Those concerns intensified again during Organized Team Activities in late May 2026.

During the Packers’ OTA sessions, Lloyd participated in individual drills but sat out the team’s 11-on-11 periods as coaches continued to manage his workload.

Head coach Matt LaFleur attempted to strike a careful balance between encouragement and realism.

“He’s done a nice job, but we’ve only had one practice,” LaFleur said before practice. “I think the proof will be in the pudding. He’s got to show that consistently over the course of all of OTAs, into training camp, into the preseason, and then we’ll see where we go from there.”

LaFleur also acknowledged that Lloyd’s progress must be evaluated over time, not just through isolated workouts.

“I think he’s done everything he can in his power to put him in the best possible position,” LaFleur added. “He’s just going to have to go out there and prove it.”

The Packers appear determined to avoid rushing Lloyd back too aggressively after years of setbacks. Team officials reportedly said there were “no issues” following earlier practices, suggesting the cautious approach is preventative rather than reactionary.

Still, the image of Lloyd once again working on the side during important offseason sessions inevitably revived concerns about whether his body can withstand the demands of an NFL season.

Josh Jacobs Situation Changes Everything

The Packers’ running back concerns escalated dramatically when news emerged involving starting running back Josh Jacobs.

According to offseason reports, Jacobs was facing several domestic abuse charges, creating uncertainty about his status moving forward. The matter remains unresolved legally, but speculation quickly intensified about the possibility of league discipline or placement on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List.

The situation immediately elevated Lloyd’s importance.

Even before Jacobs’ legal situation surfaced, Lloyd entered 2026 with substantial motivation to prove himself after years of criticism and disappointment. Suddenly, however, his role may no longer be limited to backup duties.

If Jacobs were forced to miss time, Green Bay could need Lloyd to contribute immediately.

That possibility has changed the tone surrounding his recovery. Instead of merely hoping Lloyd eventually becomes a useful rotational player, the Packers may now need him to become a legitimate offensive contributor much sooner than expected.

Packers Continue Showing Faith in Lloyd

Despite external criticism, Green Bay has consistently demonstrated patience with Lloyd’s development.

Many organizations might have already moved on from a player with such an extensive injury history. Instead, the Packers have continued investing time, medical resources, and roster space into helping him recover.

That commitment speaks volumes about how highly the organization still views his talent.

Reports from offseason workouts suggest Lloyd has remained engaged throughout rehabilitation and is currently participating with cautious optimism surrounding his availability for the 2026 season opener.

Some analysts believe the Packers’ persistence reflects broader organizational philosophy. Green Bay has historically valued player development and long-term investment rather than making rash roster decisions after setbacks.

From the team’s perspective, cutting or trading Lloyd now would likely produce little return anyway. His market value around the league remains low because rival teams have not yet seen him perform consistently at the professional level.

The Packers therefore appear willing to see the rehabilitation process through completely before making any long-term judgments.

Why Green Bay Still Needs Another Running Back

Even if Lloyd stays healthy, many observers believe the Packers still need additional backfield help.

Green Bay’s current depth chart behind Jacobs and Lloyd remains inexperienced and uncertain.

Undrafted rookie Jaden Nixon offers intriguing athleticism after averaging 6.1 yards per carry during his college career across Oklahoma State, Western Michigan, and Central Florida. However, relying on an undrafted rookie to immediately become the No. 2 running back would represent another substantial gamble.

Chris Brooks remains a respected contributor, particularly on special teams and in pass protection situations, but critics question whether he provides enough explosiveness as a ball carrier.

Dougherty was particularly blunt in his assessment.

“I don’t see any way they can go into the season with Chris Brooks as their No. 2,” he wrote, arguing that opposing defenses would not fear Brooks as a playmaker.

That leaves Green Bay potentially searching for veteran help later in the offseason.

Possible solutions could include:

• Signing a free-agent veteran during training camp
• Claiming a running back after roster cutdowns
• Exploring a midseason trade
• Waiting to evaluate Lloyd’s health before making a move

General manager Brian Gutekunst has publicly said the team currently has no immediate plans to add a veteran back, but Green Bay’s recent history suggests the front office is willing to make surprise moves if necessary.

The Defining Season of Lloyd’s Career

For MarShawn Lloyd, the 2026 season now represents far more than simply another year in the NFL.

It may determine whether he becomes a meaningful part of Green Bay’s future or another talented prospect derailed permanently by injuries.

The talent that made him a third-round draft pick still exists. Coaches and executives clearly believe that. His explosiveness, acceleration, and versatility remain appealing within LaFleur’s offensive system.

But availability ultimately defines NFL careers.

If Lloyd can finally stay healthy through OTAs, training camp, preseason, and the regular season, he has an opportunity to completely reshape the narrative surrounding his career.

If the injuries continue, however, even the Packers’ patience may eventually run out.

For now, Green Bay remains hopeful — but cautious.

And until Lloyd proves he can stay on the field consistently, the Packers’ running back situation will remain one of the most closely watched storylines of the 2026 NFL offseason.