The Green Bay Packers could soon find themselves in the market for a running back who can assume a leading role, at least for a stretch of the upcoming season, as Josh Jacobs misses time this week due to an injury.
Bill Barnwell hosted ESPN colleague Mike Clay on the July 30 edition of his podcast, during which the two discussed current Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner.
“I did predict that James Conner will lead another team in rushing during the 2026 season,” Barnwell said. “Can you guess which team that is?”
“The Packers,” Clay responded.
Barnwell was actually thinking of the Jacksonville Jaguars, noting that Conner has just a little over $2 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract in 2026, which could render him a cut candidate and/or trade candidate after the Cardinals drafted rookie RB Jeremiyah Love No. 3 overall out of Notre Dame.
Barnwell added that the possibility of a trade is most likely if some other NFL team suffers an injury issue during training camp, which the Packers and Jacobs just did.
Josh Jacobs’ Groin Injury Minor, Though Pending Off-Field Issues Could Prove Major
GettyGreen Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs.
The details of Jacobs’ injury emerged later in the day on Thursday, during which he did not practice but instead worked with team trainers.
However, the issue does not appear severe, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
“Josh Jacobs (groin) is a new DNP [did not practice],” Schneidman reported to X. “Not believed to be anything concerning.”
One thing that is concerning, though, is Jacobs’ struggles down the stretch of the 2025 campaign due to health issues. Also a concern are the potential legal troubles he could face stemming from an off-field incident earlier this year.
“The Brown County District Attorney announced last week that he had not yet decided whether to file formal charges,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported on June 2. “Jacobs was arrested May 26 in Brown County, Wisconsin, on charges of battery (domestic abuse, criminal damage to property), domestic abuse, disorderly conduct (domestic abuse, strangulation and suffocation), and intimidation of a victim following a May 23 incident in which police were called.”
Clay also noted that Jacobs’ off-field issues are what led him to name Green Bay as a potential destination for Conner this offseason.
“People may have raised an eyebrow when I said Packers,” Clay explained. “It’s obviously the Josh Jacobs legal stuff going on there. … We’ll see how that plays out.”
Packers Dealing With Injury Concerns All Across RB Depth Chart
GettyRunning back MarShawn Lloyd of the Green Bay Packers.
Behind Jacobs on the depth chart in Green Bay are Chris Brooks, who is currently battling a hamstring injury and sitting out of practice, as well as MarShawn Lloyd.
Lloyd, a third-round pick in 2024, has appeared in just one game across his first two professional seasons due to injury.
Given all of the health concerns across the position group, not to mention a down year statistically for Jacobs in 2025 as he heads into his eighth NFL campaign, Conner could make sense as a low-risk flier with the potential to be an RB1 for the Packers if that proves a necessity.
Conner, a two-time Pro Bowler, eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in both 2023 and 2024 (15 combined rushing TDs) before playing in just three games last season due to season-ending foot surgery.
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