Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones sprained his MCL during Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers and is unlikely to play on Thursday against the Detroit Lions, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Jones got twisted down awkwardly in the second quarter. In visible pain, he was carted from the sideline to the locker room following the injury.
Despite initial fears that Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury, tests performed suggested his ACL was intact, and imaging done Monday confirmed the suspicion.
Coach Matt LaFleur said Jones isn’t expected to play against the Lions but going to injured reserve — and missing four games — isn’t believed to be necessary.
Without Jones available on Thursday, the Packers signed Patrick Taylor off the Patriots practice squad and brought back James Robinson on the practice squad to provide depth. Taylor and Robinson could be the primary backups behind A.J. Dillon vs. the Lions.
Per Schefter, Jones will be considered “week to week,” so a return for next week’s visit from the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t out of the question. The Packers play Thursday but will get 10 days before hosting the Chiefs.
This is the fourth different season in which Jones has sprained his MCL. He previously suffered the injury in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Jones missed three games and parts of two others with a hamstring injury earlier this season. He has 245 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 19 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown in 2023.
