Packers place rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd on injured list

On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers placed third-round rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd on the injured list. Lloyd injured his ankle against the Indianapolis Colts after battling a hamstring injury that kept him out for most of the preseason. Although Lloyd's selection in April was praised by the likes of Nick Saban, his rookie season so far has not gone as expected.

With Lloyd and longtime RB2 AJ Dillon now both on the injured list, Emanuel Wilson is the only experienced backup behind starter Josh Jacobs. Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, Jacobs carried the ball 32 times, which was more than any other Packers player since Ryan Grant during the 2008 season. The only time a Green Bay player has carried the ball more times and for more yards, according to Stathead, was a game by Dorsey Levens against the Dallas Cowboys in 1997.

Now Jacobs will have even less help staying fresh.

In a corresponding roster move, the Packers signed running back Chris Brooks from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Brooks was signed by Green Bay in Week 1 after being released by the Miami Dolphins during cutdowns on an injury settlement. Last season, as an undrafted rookie, Brooks completed 19 carries for 106 yards for Miami.

Another practice squad running back, Ellis Merriweather, remains as another option for the team's backfield. Merriweather was signed by the Packers in November of last season. With Lloyd's situation uncertain in Week 1, Merriweather was actually promoted from the practice squad for the Green Bay Packers' game against the Philadelphia Eagles, although Merriweather never played in Brazil.