The Green Bay Packers suffered a major loss before Thursday night's game could even get started in earnest. On the very first drive of the game, the team's starting running back endured a game-ending injury. Ty Montgomery initially tried to fight through the injury as the team relied on him to move the chains early and often against the Chicago Bears. Eventually, however, the running back had to check out of the game and was reportedly not going to be checking back in for the night.

Montgomery goes down

The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was first on the news of Montgomery's injury, declaring that he would not return to the game after suffering the injury during the first quarter.

The Packers later confirmed that report. He was one of the several people to suffer an injury in the first half, a list that included linebacker Blake Martinez (concussion), safety Josh Jones (back), and even backup running back Jamaal Williams (knee).

On the first drive of the game, Montgomery received five carries on the first six offensive plays for the Packers. At some point in that stretch, the running back broke his ribs, although he wound up playing through it for the remainder of the drive. He didn't come back on the field for the second drive, however, and that's when people knew something was up with him. Without him - in the eyes of some, even with him - the Packers lack a true No.

1 running back option.

Green Bay contingency options

After Montgomery went down, the next man up for the Packers was Williams. He carried the ball four times for 11 yards before suffering his knee injury, which initially left him questionable to return.

That left Aaron Jones to take over, recording the first carry of his NFL career in the second quarter. By the end of the first half, he managed to score his first NFL touchdown to go with his first NFL carries.

With some seriously inclement weather on Thursday night, the running game became more important as time marched on.

Montgomery made the transition from wide receiver to running back last season, but beyond that, Green Bay doesn't have any high-profile backs on their team for situations like Thursday night, where an early lead put them in position to kill more clock. Depending on the prognosis of Montgomery, the team may need to go shopping for one in free agency or on the trade market; Aaron Rodgers can carry the team far, but they still need a running back to alleviate pressure from time to time.