The Green Bay Packers prepare for their crucial Week 16 Saturday night rematch against the Chicago Bears following their disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos. Josh Jacobs did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday with a knee injury. Will fantasy football managers have their star running back available for this critical matchup?
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Jacobs suffered a knee contusion during the Packers’ Week 11 matchup against the New York Giants. The injury occurred on the second play of the game when Jacobs banged his knee at the end of a run. He played 10 more snaps before he dropped out because the knee quickly swelled up and he could not bend it.
This current issue is not a new injury. It is the same one that cost him Week 12 against the Vikings. Jacobs has played in three games since and looked no worse for wear, though he has been battling through it.
He returned for the Thanksgiving game against Detroit and rushed 17 times for 83 yards while catching his only target for eight yards. Against the Bears in Week 14, Jacobs played 71% of the snaps and handled 22 touches. Last week against Denver, he recorded 12 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns (one through the air), along with three receptions for 19 yards.
Jacobs aggravated the knee injury early in Sunday’s contest against the Broncos. He revealed that he re-injured his knee on the same toss play that resulted in tight end Josh Whyle suffering a concussion. Somehow, Jacobs managed to score both of his touchdowns after aggravating the injury.
The veteran running back acknowledged the pain he was dealing with during the game. Jacobs said it was hurting when he was running and noted that his father could see the discomfort on his face. He mentioned that sometimes you have to talk to yourself to push through.
Jacobs did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday. This is the same routine as last week when Jacobs went DNP-DNP before returning to a limited session the final practice of the week. He drew a questionable tag and ultimately played.
Jacobs is a tough dude and wants to play. He is not healthy, but he told reporters it hurts more to watch games than to play hurt. Jacobs elaborated on his mindset, saying he would rather try to contribute in some way, even if it is limited, than just sit there and watch the whole game.
The running back expressed confidence about his availability for Saturday. Jacobs said if it is up to him, he is going to try to go. He acknowledged that he and LaFleur have occasionally had differing opinions regarding his readiness to play.
LaFleur was less firm than Jacobs in his expectation of the running back playing Saturday. However, the head coach noted that Jacobs is as tough as they come and should not be counted out from suiting up in Week 16. LaFleur mentioned the team would know more as the week progresses.
The knee issue is not going to go away and is something Jacobs will have to manage the rest of the season. The lack of practice is not ideal, but it sounds as if Jacobs will continue playing through it. Jacobs was sporting a significant limp while moving about the locker room and addressing the media on Tuesday.
Jacobs’ Fantasy Outlook
A slight level of panic was swirling around the fantasy group chats I’m a part of with Josh Jacobs (knee) missing practice time during the week.
All of that stress was for nothing as Green Bay’s bellcow scored a pair of touchdowns and totaled 92 scrimmage yards against Denver. He had an ankle breaking 40-yard TD run and that wasn’t even the highlight of his afternoon.
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Jacobs’ impact as a pass catcher has been up-and-down, but his TD catch on Sunday will go on the season recap hype video for the Packers. He completed a contested play in the end zone from 14 yards out, leaving Tony Romo to praise his “Randy Moss hands”.
OK, that might be overdoing it, but you get the idea. He looked great physically and with the defense now in a pinch after Micah Parsons was lost for the season, look for Green Bay to try to ride #8 to a victory this week.
He’s averaging 19.3 touches per game in 2025 and I’d bet the “over” on that total in this spot in the oldest rivalry in the spot. Jacobs (86 yards and a TD in Week 14 against these Bears) is my RB9 for Week 16.
— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
