Marshawn Lloyd will make his NFL debut and strengthen the Packers' backfield against the Colts

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rookie running back Marshawn Lloyd is expected to make his NFL debut in the Green Bay Packers' home opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the third-round pick is not expected to be among the team's few inactive players when the roster is released 90 minutes before kickoff. Instead, he will be in the lineup to bolster the backfield of Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson.

Lloyd was one of three questionable players on the Packers' final practice report this week, along with Jordan Love and Jayden Reed. Love has since been downgraded to questionable due to the medial ligament strain he suffered in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Reed is expected to play despite calf and shin injuries.

The Packers haven't seen Lloyd in action since early in the third quarter in their season opener on Aug. 10. He was taken out of the game after injuring his hamstring on an eight-yard run down the left sideline. He didn't practice again for the rest of the summer, until the week of the team's season opener in Brazil. Lloyd practiced on a Sunday and a Monday but didn't play on Tuesday, leading many to speculate that he had suffered a setback, which isn't entirely out of the question with a soft tissue injury.

Head coach Matt LaFleur insisted that part of the plan was to slowly ease him back into the game, but the Packers played it safe and did not play him in the game, instead promoting Ellis Merriweather from the practice squad.

The Packers chose not to place Lloyd on the injured list at the start of the season, hoping his hamstring injury would not last too long, otherwise he would be out of action for at least four games.

After the Packers didn't add Merriweather or Chris Brooks to the team last Saturday, there was optimism that Lloyd could play against the Colts. And that's exactly what will happen, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

MORE: Packers player Jayden Reed is expected to play against the Colts despite calf and shin injuries

MORE: Uncertain about Jordan Love, Packers call up predictable practice squad

With Love out this week and likely next, the Packers will start with Malik Willis at quarterback. Willis, a former third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, was traded to the Packers on August 26th – 20 days later he will make his fourth career start. LaFleur will likely simplify the Packers' offensive strategy for Willis, who hasn't been with the team long enough to really master the offense. The Packers will likely rely heavily on their now three-man backfield of Jacobs, Wilson and Lloyd.

A strong running attack will take a lot of pressure off Willis, and only two teams allowed more rushing yards than the Colts last week. As a team, the Houston Texans trampled the Colts, running 40 times for 213 yards and a touchdown. But the most damage was done by newly signed Joe Mixon, who carried the ball 30 times for 159 yards and scored the only touchdown.

Zachary Jacobson is the editor-in-chief of the Packer Report. He is reporting on the Green Bay PackersHe is a member of the Professional football writers from America. Follow him on Twitter @zacobson or contact him by email at [email protected]