Josh Jacobs: Can the Packers' Star Runner Shake Off Injuries for a Playoff Showdown?

Josh Jacobs, the Green Bay Packers' standout running back, is finally feeling like himself again. After struggling with a knee injury for nearly two months, Jacobs is optimistic about his performance in the upcoming NFC Wild Card game against the Chicago Bears. The Packers are hoping that a healthy Jacobs will boost their running game, which has been lacking recently. Jacobs has not been the same player since his injury in Week 11 against the New York Giants. However, he has been feeling better in recent practices and is ready to contribute to the team's success. Jacobs has had an impressive career, including being named to the Pro Bowl in 2024. He was off to a solid start this season, with 11 rushing touchdowns and an average of 67. 6 yards per game in his first nine games. However, his performance declined in the following six games, with only two touchdowns and an average of 53. 5 rushing yards per game. The Packers' offensive line has not been as productive as it was last year, and the team finished the season on a four-game losing streak. However, the Bears have struggled against the run, allowing an average of 134. 5 rushing yards per game and 5. 0 yards per carry. If Jacobs is healthy, he could make a significant impact on the game.Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers before the 2024 season and was a key player in the team's fifth-ranked rushing offense. He finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards in 2024, with 1, 329 yards and 16 total touchdowns. The Packers' offensive coordinator, Adam Stenavich, has noticed a difference in Jacobs' performance in recent practices. "Yeah, he looks great in practice, " Stenavich said. "Running hard. Looks fresher. So, yeah, it'll be, it'd be good going in the playoffs with him at full speed. " Quarterback Jordan Love is also excited to have a healthy Jacobs in the backfield. "It’d be huge, " Love said. "I think that was obviously the plan with last week, trying to rest guys (against Minnesota), just trying to get guys back as healthy as possible. Obviously, this is the week when it all matters, so just trying to find ways to keep getting those guys back. " Jacobs is known for his old-school playing style and has struggled with sitting out or playing limited snaps. However, he believes that the team's approach will pay off in the end. "We gonna have to see, " Jacobs said. "It’s gonna be fun, though. Like I said, it feels good to be able to just hit the ground running, be able to actually get up to my speeds and make my cuts the way that I normally make 'em and things like that. Feels good to be able to do that. "