The Green Bay Packers are navigating a pivotal point in their 2026 season with a 6-3 record and a fourth-place standing in the NFC North. The club continues to chase consistency as it moves deeper into the schedule.
The team is coming off a dominant 45-27 road win over the New England Patriots and now hosts the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Lambeau Field in a key divisional matchup. That contest carries added weight given the tight race in the NFC North.
Depth and health in the running back room have remained ongoing topics as the club looks to improve its ground game heading into the second half of the year. Limited production from the position has left the offense searching for balance.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs successfully completed surgery on a fractured right ring finger on Friday, according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix. The update provided the first clear post-procedure timeline for the veteran.
The operation took place in Los Angeles and was handled by Dr. Steven Shin, a well-regarded hand and wrist specialist who has worked with many top athletes. Shin’s involvement was highlighted as a positive sign for the recovery process.
Pelissero noted that Jacobs should be ready to resume playing within the next few weeks. That window leaves open the possibility of a return not long after the upcoming bye.
The fracture happened in the opening quarter of last Sunday’s victory against the Patriots. Jacobs was attempting to deliver a stiff-arm when the finger became caught.
His finger snagged in the facemask of New England safety Craig Woodson during the play. The contact forced him from the game shortly afterward.
He was limited to four carries that gained five yards and did not re-enter the contest. The early exit left the rest of the backfield to handle the workload.
Earlier assessments pointed to a maximum absence of roughly three weeks, and he has already been ruled out of the Week 10 game versus Minnesota. Those projections align with the latest post-surgery report.
Green Bay’s upcoming bye in Week 11 offers extra recovery time before a possible return for the Thanksgiving Eve contest at the Los Angeles Rams. The schedule break gives the medical staff additional days to monitor healing.
Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed midweek that the procedure was required after Jacobs showed no ability to grip a football following the injury. That lack of grip made playing through the issue unrealistic.
With the starter sidelined, the Packers are expected to turn to options such as Kaleb Johnson, who rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in the Patriots game. Johnson’s performance offered a bright spot in an otherwise limited rushing attack.
MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. are also available, and Chris Brooks continues working his way back from injured reserve. The group will share carries until Jacobs is cleared.
Jacobs has logged only three appearances this season after missing the first six games while on the commissioner’s exempt list. His availability has been interrupted from the outset of the year.
In those outings he has 80 rushing yards and one touchdown on 36 carries, plus 11 catches for 68 yards and two scores. The modest totals reflect both the limited games played and the early injury.
The Packers rank among the league’s least productive rushing teams, so his eventual return figures to help restore balance to the offense. Getting a healthy Jacobs back remains a priority for the second half of the schedule.
