Packers RB Aaron Jones ‘Tweaked’ Hamstring But More Confident After Bye
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Aaron Jones was slated to have a big role in the Green Bay Packers’ game at the Las Vegas Raiders last Monday. Instead, his comeback from a hamstring injury hit a setback during the final practice of the week.
“I tweaked it a little on Saturday,” Jones said after practice on Wednesday. “I was feeling good all week and, going for a ball in the back of the end zone, I tweaked it. I was still hopeful I could play. I was feeling OK after.
“Coach (Matt) LaFleur was like, ‘I don’t have a good feeling about this. You just tweaked it. I haven’t seen you run full speed, Let’s be smart.’ Coach LaFleur always has my best interest in mind. I always respect him for that. It definitely was bothering me to sit out.”
Indeed, Jones was a surprise inactive on Monday night and the Packers, punchless on offense without their top running back, lost 17-13.
Fresh off a bye, Jones is feeling much better about his availability for Sunday’s game at the Denver Broncos. He was limited participation at Wednesday’s practice.
“I prefer a later bye, but I needed it now, so thank God it came when it did,” Jones said. “Everything happens for a reason. It worked out.”
The Packers, to state the obvious, have missed Jones’ playmaking ability.
During the 48 snaps in which Jones has been on the field, the Packers are averaging 0.65 more yards per rushing play and 2.62 yards more passing play, according to league data. They scored 38 points in Week 1 against Chicago, when Jones had catches of 51 yards to set up one touchdown and 35 yards to score a touchdown.
Aaron Jones has not played a full game this season.
Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images
With Jones inactive against Atlanta in Week 2 and New Orleans in Week 3, playing limited snaps against Detroit in Week 4 and inactive against Las Vegas in Week 5, the Packers have averaged 18.8 points per game. After averaging 5.5 yards per play against Chicago, Green Bay hasn’t topped 5.0 yards in any of its next four games.
“He’s an explosive playmaker,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “That’s a guy that we need to get the ball to when he’s in. The tape doesn’t lie. He does a lot of really good things out there on the field. Defenses just got to account for another guy out there, another playmaker and how they’re going to stop him, put a little bit more focus on him maybe.”
With the team transitioning to Love, Jones and receiver Christian Watson were supposed to set the playmaking tone. Instead, with Watson missing the first three games with his own hamstring injury, they’ve only been on the field together for only 12 snaps.
“It’s been very frustrating,” Jones said. “Having to check myself when I walk in the door, it’s never about me. It’s about the guys in this locker room and how can I help them, even though I’m going through this. How can I help them? How can I help my team?
“I know in God’s time, I’ll be able to get back out there and be able to help my team the way I really want to. It’s killing me because I can’t physically go on the field and do what I do and help them and have that impact. It’s definitely frustrating from that aspect but, like I said, God’s time, and everything happens for a reason. When I get back out there, I’m ready.”
Entering Week 7, Green Bay is 25th with 3.52 rushing yards per attempt while Denver’s defense is 32nd with 5.59 yards allowed per rushing attempt.
So, perhaps the return of Jones – one of the most explosive players in NFL history – can get the Packers out of a funk that’s resulted in a two-game losing streak.
“I don’t have a crystal ball. I hope so. I do hope so,” Jones said. “I hope this gives us a little confidence, but we know it takes all 11. I just know when I get in the huddle, the guys, they listen to me. They see me as a leader. So, I hope I can bring a spark to them and give them some confidence and we can just go out there and play.”
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