Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is eager for a bigger role in the offense after Josh Jacobs was placed on the NFL's commissioner's exempt list.
"I'm ready to play as much as they want me to play," Lloyd said, according to team writer Mike Spofford. "I'm excited. It's a dream come true playing for the Packers, so however much carries I get, however much they put me in the game, I'm ready to go."
The 25-year-old is primed to receive a significant chunk of Green Bay's running back snaps in Jacobs' absence, and it remains unclear how long the latter will be out for. Jacobs' placement on the commissioners' exempt list prevents him from practicing or playing while the NFL continues its investigation into his legal case.
The Packers selected Lloyd, who posted 1,052 total yards and nine touchdowns in his final year at USC, in the third round of the 2024 draft. He was the fourth running back taken, behind Jonathon Brooks, Trey Benson, and Blake Corum.
However, Lloyd's NFL career has been riddled with injuries so far. He was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury during his rookie season and later suffered hamstring and calf strains that forced him to miss the entire 2025 campaign. In all, Lloyd has suited up in just one career contest, recording seven touches for 18 total yards.
The now-healthy Lloyd played in two preseason games in August, recording 10 carries for 30 yards. He also caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in Green Bay's second contest against the Denver Broncos.
"He's a running back in the National Football League. To think he's not going to get dinged up and have to play through that would be naive," Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Lloyd. "I think his mind is right and he's ready to go. We're excited to see what he can do. Each week he can be out there, you're going to see a better and better MarShawn."
On Sunday, Green Bay acquired 2025 third-round back Kaleb Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers to help combat the loss of Jacobs. The team also retained Chris Brooks, whose 82 career carries are the most among the trio of rushers on the active roster.
The Packers play the Minnesota Vikings in their Sept. 13 season opener.
