Packers running back Aaron Jones to miss Week 12 matchup with sprained MCL

The Green Bay Packers will likely be without running back Aaron Jones for Week 12 after he reportedly sprained his MCL against the Chargers on Sunday. Although Packers head coach Matt LaFleur shared on Monday that the team believes Jones’ injury to be short-term with no damage to his ACL, the MCL sprain means he’ll be week-to-week.

The Packers take on the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving with kick-off at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Due to the depth issue at running back, Green Bay signed running back Patrick Taylor to the 53-man roster off of the Patriots practice squad. He should be available to play on Thursday with rookie Emanuel Wilson also out due to a shoulder injury. In four games this season, Taylor has 11 carries for 31 yards. He’s also snagged five receptions for 28 yards.

Green Bay also signed former Jaguars running back James Robinson to the practice squad after releasing linebacker Christian Young in a corresponding move.

Packers’ RB Aaron Jones has an MCL sprain, will be considered week to week, but is unlikely to play Thursday, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2023

Jones had four carries for 14 yards prior to his exit from the win over the Chargers. He also had one catch. This season, he’s up to 245 yards and two touchdowns on 66 carries. He’s also up to 169 receiving yards with one more score on 19 receptions.

Packers step up in Jones’ and Wilson’s absence

With Wilson and Jones out, the Packers only had fourth-year running back AJ Dillon available to close out the game on Sunday. Dillon finished with 61 total yards on 18 touches. He was among the first to tell his teammates not to worry about the outcome of the game amid their injuries.

“I felt those guys, man,” Dillon said. “I saw ’em before both of them went inside, and I just told ’em, ‘I’ve got you guys… love you. We’re going to find a way to get it done.’ So I’m happy I was able to keep that promise and we were able to get that win.”

Jones’ teammates told him they’d have his back and that they did. The Packers pulled out the gutsy win with the injured running back joining them on the sideline.

“As soon as the game was over, they come find me and were like ‘What did we tell you? What did we tell you?’” Jones said. “I’m glad the guys were resilient, everybody stepped up, made a play when we needed one, and I think this is a lot to build from.”