Over the last two seasons, the Green Bay Packers' running back situation was as consistent as they come. Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson formed a solid one-two punch in the backfield for an offense that stresses balance. Jacobs could be counted on for a heavy workload, with about 1,000 yards per season and over a dozen touchdowns. Wilson could be counted on for 100-plus carries and around 500 yards. But come 2026, the position is full of unknowns. Jacobs is out amid legal issues, charged with two misdemeanors in Brown County after prosecutors allege he threw a woman to the ground and destroyed her phone. After three years, Wilson left in the offseason as a free agent to join the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Who are the Packers turning to? Unproven running backs. That could offer some early growing pains as well as exciting possibilities. There's MarShawn Lloyd, who's simply looking to show he can stay on the field after two injury-filled seasons. There's Kaleb Johnson, a newcomer who just joined the team this week after his trade from Pittsburgh. And then there's Chris Brooks, who has been in Green Bay for a few years but has been more of a special-teams player. Who are these players? Here's more on the Packers' running back depth chart: Shop Packers apparel
MarShawn Lloyd Can MarShawn Lloyd stay on the field? That's one of the top questions surrounding the Packers offense heading into the season. And they're counting on Lloyd now more than ever. Injuries have been the story for Lloyd through his first two seasons after the Packers selected the Southern California running back in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lloyd has played in only one NFL game. That came nearly two years ago in Week 2 of his rookie season. He had six carries for 15 yards and one reception for three yards. But Lloyd suffered a severe ankle injury in that game and was placed on injured reserve. He never returned that season after later being diagnosed with appendicitis. Looking for a do-over in 2025, it was even worse. A groin injury early in training camp set him back and then, when he returned for the team's second preseason game, he pulled his hamstring on a long catch-and-run. He never played again. Lloyd got through training camp and preseason in 2026 unscathed and now 25 years old, the 5-foot-9, 220-pound back sits atop the Packers' running back depth chart. Kaleb Johnson
The newest face to the Packers' running back room is Kaleb Johnson. Johnson was acquired by the Packers on Sunday, Aug. 30, from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a sixth-round pick. His arrival in Green Bay gives Johnson a fresh start in a new environment after he was buried on the Pittsburgh Steelers' depth chart last season as a rookie and was set to be again this season. The Steelers selected Johnson in the third round after his banner junior season at Iowa. Johnson was named the Big Ten running back of the year and earned second-team All-American honors after a 1,537-yard, 21-touchdown season. But his opportunities were limited with the Steelers. Johnson played in only 10 games, had 69 yards on 28 carries for 2.5 yards per carry and zero touchdowns while playing behind Jaylen Warren (211 carries, 958 yards) and Kenneth Gainwell (114 carries, 537 yards). Warren is again the Steelers' top back and they added free agent Rico Dowdle as a replacement for Gainwell, who left in free agency. While it could take some time for Johnson to get up to speed with the Packers' playbook, he should be given more opportunities to showcase his abilities. “I'm glad to be here,” Johnson said this week. Chris Brooks Brooks has made the Packers' 53-man roster for a second straight season. The 26-year-old is in his third season in Green Bay after he first joined the team's practice squad in September 2024. He has played in 32 games over the last two years and has 63 carries, 289 yards and one touchdown. Brooks was active for all 17 games last season for the Packers and posted 106 yards on 27 carries as a third option. His yards per carry average of 3.6 were down from his 5.1 yards per carry in his first season with the Packers. Besides his backup role on offense, Brooks is a reliable special-teams contributor. Last season, he had a career-high 14 tackles on special teams, the most for a Packers running back/fullback in 22 years. Brooks began his career with the Miami Dolphins, making the team's 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. He played nine games during his rookie season. Buy Packers tickets
Packers running back depth chart
MarShawn Lloyd, 25 years old Kaleb Johnson, 23 years old Chris Brooks, 26 years old
Packers practice squad running backs
Pierre Strong Jr., 27 years old
Josh Jacobs on the NFL commissioner's exempt list Jacobs' long-term future with the Packers is unclear. His immediate future is more clear: He won't be practicing or playing while he's on the NFL commissioner's exempt list. Jacobs was placed on the exempt list Aug. 30, two days after he was charged with two misdemeanor charges following his May arrest that stemmed from a disturbance complaint at his house. Jacobs was eventually charged with one count of battery and another of criminal damage to property. The criminal complaint says there's video of Jacobs throwing a woman to the ground and that he destroyed the woman’s phone. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur discussed Jacobs' situation this week. Gutekunst was less forthcoming about Jacobs' future with the Packers. Asked about whether Jacobs could be released, Gutekunst said: “I think we’ll let the process play out before we make any kind of those decisions, but we’ll see.” LaFleur said in a separate press conference that he "trusts" Jacobs. “I’m going to do that until proven otherwise,” he said. - This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is Packers' running back depth chart after Kaleb Johnson trade? Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.