Packers are cautious and gathering information on AJ Dillon's recent stinger injury

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said the team is being “cautious” and still gathering information after running back AJ Dillon suffered another serious injury. It is Dillon's second serious injury in the last nine months.

“I think any time there's a repeat injury, there's absolutely reason to be concerned,” LaFleur said Wednesday. “I think we're being cautious with him and making sure we gather all the information before we let him back on the field.”

Dillon suffered an injury in Week 17 of last season against the Minnesota Vikings and missed his team's final three games, including both playoff games.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a stinger is a “brachial plexus injury” and occurs when a group of nerves is stretched or injured. The injury can cause numbness, weakness, or pain in the arm and hands. Stingers are common in football.

Obviously, weakness in an arm or hand can be a serious injury for a running back. And it's possible that repeated nerve injuries could lead to a long-term problem.

It is unclear when Dillon was last injured, but he was unavailable for last Sunday's preseason loss to the Denver Broncos and also missed Tuesday's practice in Green Bay.

The Packers will have a closed practice on Wednesday, a joint practice on Thursday and their final preseason practice on Saturday. Dillon's status for the rest of the week is unknown, but conservatively he is unlikely to be available.

Last season, Dillon ran 178 times for 613 yards and two touchdowns and also caught 22 passes for 223 yards in 15 games. He returned in 2024 on a one-year contract.

This summer, Dillon competed with rookie MarShawn Lloyd and 2023 preseason rushing champion Emanuel Wilson for a role behind starter Josh Jacobs.