Packers RB Aaron Jones unlikely to play vs. Lions amid recovery from knee injury

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is highly unlikely to play Thursday against the Detroit Lions as he recovers from a left knee injury, coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:

LaFleur added that he doesn’t believe his top running back will land on injured reserve after suffering the injury late in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Jones himself wondered if he had torn his ACL based on the initial pain, but the Packers avoided the worst with the official diagnosis.
“Very relieved that it’s not anything long-term,” LaFleur said. “So we’ll just kind of work through that.”

What it means for Green Bay

Jones has been in and out of the lineup and on limited workloads for the majority of the season because of a hamstring injury suffered in the third quarter of the Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears, and now he exits again with a different injury not long after returning to full go.

Third-string running back Emanuel Wilson was carted off with a shoulder injury, too, minutes after Jones was carted off. He won’t play Thursday, either, so AJ Dillon will handle primary running back duties. The Packers also signed Patrick Taylor off the New England Patriots’ practice squad. Taylor was with the Packers from 2020 until last month and he’ll return to a familiar offense for No. 2 running back duties on a short week.

What happened to Jones?

Jones was tackled awkwardly at the end of a 2-yard run in the second quarter against the Chargers and remained on the ground. He limped off the field and was carted to the locker room with a towel over his head.

LaFleur said after the game he didn’t think the injury was long-term.

Fantasy impact

I was among the many who excitedly started Dillon the first time Jones got hurt. And now I’m stuck in a dilemma — is this a “fool me twice…” situation? Or could Dillion be one of those storied from-where-you-least-expect-it late season fantasy heroes?

The volume should be there — he just hasn’t done much at all with the touches, outside of a 40-yard run last week against the Steelers. Plus, he’s been limited in practice, further complicating things. But — and this is not scientific or data-based in any way — Thanksgiving magic is real. Dillon profiles as one of those players who just explodes on the big stage in a holiday game and is beloved by all. Approach with caution, but expect at least 17-19 touches if he plays. — Nando Di Fino, Fantasy/Betting managing editor