In a heartbreaking turn of events, AJ Dillon’s promising 2024 season has come to an abrupt end before it even began. The lingering effects of a stinger that prematurely ended his 2023 campaign have now resurfaced, landing him on injured reserve with no return designation.
The Green Bay Packers also saw tight end Tyler Davis sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury, adding to the team’s woes heading into the new season.
With Dillon out of commission, the Packers’ running back room on cutdown day is left with starter Josh Jacobs, rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd – who has been battling hamstring and hip issues throughout the summer – and Emanuel Wilson. The team made the tough decision to part ways with backs Ellis Merriweather and Nate McCrary, leaving the backfield depth a bit thin.
While Jacobs brings experience and Lloyd shows plenty of promise, Wilson has impressed in the preseason games. However, given the circumstances, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the Packers look to add a couple more backs to the roster in the coming weeks.
Dillon, known for his bruising running style, put up 613 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 15 games last season. His absence was sorely felt in the regular-season finale and the team’s playoff matchups after he suffered a cervical neck stinger in Week 17. Although many believed he wouldn’t return to Green Bay, the Packers surprised everyone by utilizing a rare four-year qualifying offer to keep Dillon in the fold.
The news of Dillon’s season-ending injury has sent shockwaves through the Packers’ organization, with teammates and coaches expressing their disappointment over the unfortunate turn of events. Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the loss of Dillon as a significant blow to the team but remained optimistic about the talent and depth at the running back position.
“It’s tough to see a player like AJ go down like this, especially after the hard work he put in during the offseason,” LaFleur said. “But we have full confidence in Josh, MarShawn, and Emanuel to step up and fill the void left by AJ’s absence.”
As the Packers look to regroup and adjust their game plan for the upcoming season without Dillon, the focus now shifts to the remaining running backs on the roster and the potential additions that could bolster the position in the weeks ahead. It’s a challenging situation for Green Bay, but if there’s one thing the team has shown in the past, it’s the ability to overcome adversity and rise to the occasion when faced with adversity.
