Packers could sign former Pro Bowl running back in last-minute preseason signing

The 2024 National Football League season is just days away, and the Green Bay Packers are under plenty of pressure as usual.

After a surprise playoff bid in 2023 in which the Packers recovered from a 3-6 start, Green Bay will surprise no one in 2024. They took down the Dallas Cowboys on the road in the playoffs a year ago, and very nearly defeated the eventual NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.

Heading into the new season, the Packers have a young, talented offense behind second-year starting quarterback Jordan Love. But after their depth took a hit due to an unexpected injury, the Packers may have space for one more veteran.

Running back AJ Dillon was placed on season-ending injured reserve last week with a neck injury, the same stinger that ended his 2023 season. That left the running back room in question, and the Packers may feel the need to address that in the coming weeks.

On Monday, Bleacher Report's Scouting Department wrote that the Packers should add free-agent running back Latavius Murray to address the running back conundrum.

"The Packers might want to explore bringing in another veteran running back behind Josh Jacobs," the authors said. "While Murray's best years are behind him, the 34-year-old can be a productive backup after racking up 419 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns for the Bills last season."

Murray, 34, is a 10-year NFL veteran, who has played for six teams and racked up over 6,500 career rushing yards. He made a Pro Bowl in 2015, his second season, with the Oakland Raiders.

Last season, Murray played in 16 games for the Buffalo Bills, totaling 300 rushing yards and 119 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. He started three games for Buffalo, but eventually ceded way to James Cook in the Bills' backfield.

Though the Packers expect to have Jacobs handling the bulk of their workload, they don't necessarily know who will spell him when they need a change of pace. Third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd has been injured for most of camp, and Emanuel Wilson has 14 career carries.

Having a steady hand like Murray could be exactly what Love and this offense need to put them over the top. But, of course, the Packers front office still has to agree with such a notion.

More NFL: Packers new quarterback reacts to trade: 'Definitely caught me by surprise'