Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been pushing to get back into the backfield while working through a knee injury.
Jacobs knows exactly how much quarterback Jordan Love needs him to be a difference-maker in the Packers’ run game. When will he actually return to action? Jacobs shed a little light on that Thursday.
When Will Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs Return?
Jacobs spoke with Packers reporter Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Thursday while at practice in Green Bay.
“Josh Jacobs says worst-case scenario is he misses one game,” Schneidman reported. “He’s still trying to play Sunday against the Vikings. If he doesn’t, he was adamant he’s playing Thanksgiving in Detroit.”
At practice, Jacobs was seen going through individual drills. That’s a sign he wants to make sure his knee is ready to handle game action.
As Matt LaFleur said, RB Josh Jacobs (knee) is doing individuals at Thursday’s padded practice.
WR Savion Williams (foot) is also back.
LB Quay Walker (stinger), DL Karl Brooks (ankle) & CB Nate Hobbs (knee) are not practicing. pic.twitter.com/0FddnGYdQ0
— weston hodkiewicz (@WesHod) November 20, 2025
This week, Green Bay brings a 6-3-1 record into Sunday’s matchup at Lambeau Field with the Minnesota Vikings. Every time these two teams play, it brings the kind of tension you would expect from NFC North rivals. Jacobs likely wants to be out there, but he’s being smart about his recovery.
Looking ahead, Green Bay’s next game is on Thanksgiving Day, when the team travels to Ford Field for a major matchup with the Detroit Lions. Based on Jacobs’ comments, that national TV game is squarely on his radar for a comeback. The Packers will then have additional time to prepare for another big division game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on Dec. 7.
The PFSN NFL RB Impact rankings give Jacobs an NFL RB Impact Score of 81.9, grading him at a B-. His stat line so far shows 169 carries for 648 yards and 11 touchdowns. Looking at the Packers’ offense, the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics rank Green Bay with an 84.0 score and a B grade on offense.
Jacobs clearly matters when he’s on the field. He’s shown that he can find space behind the Packers’ offensive line and turn upfield for positive yardage. At this point in the 2025 NFL season, Green Bay is like a lot of NFL teams: they need a ground game to balance things out. Jacobs will push to get back as soon as possible.
