Packers rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd avoids IR, makes initial 53-man roster

Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd avoided injured reserve and will start the 2024 regular season on the team’s 53-man roster.

Lloyd joins Emanuel Wilson as the two running backs behind starter Josh Jacobs on the Packers’ first 53-man roster. Veteran A.J. Dillon went to season-ending injured reserve, so Lloyd now has a terrific chance to be an impactful player for the Packers offense in 2024.

Lloyd, who missed the start of training camp with a minor hip injury, has been out for almost three weeks due to a hamstring injury suffered in the preseason opener. He’s avoidance of injured reserve with a return designation — which would have kept him out at least the first four games — suggests the Packers’ third-round pick is close to returning to action.

Lloyd was injured after his lone preseason carry gained eight yards in Cleveland on Aug. 10. He missed the final two preseason games.

Coach Matt LaFleur said “TBD” when asked if Lloyd would be ready for Week 1. The Packers won’t release their first injury report of Week 1 until next week.

With Dillon out of the picture, Lloyd could end up being the Packers’ No. 2 option at running back at some point in 2024. Wilson led the team in rushing for the second straight preseason and might be the secondary option early on, but Lloyd has rare running talent and the potential to be a weapon as a runner and receiver.

The Packers only placed one player on injured reserve with a return designation: defensive lineman Jonathan Ford. He injured his calf against the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason finale. He’ll have to miss four games and won’t be eligible to return to the 53-man roster until Week 5.

Also, Packers Wire ran a post earlier on Tuesday suggesting Lloyd would start the season on injured reserve. We incorrectly understood a passage in Rob Demovsky’s 53-man roster projection at ESPN that suggested Lloyd was expected to start the year on injured reserve. We apologize for the error.