Well, what do you know? Apparently, the Green Bay Packers have a ground game after all. And it was on full display in last Sunday’s 35-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. While quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have come up with the most significant run of the afternoon, there was another Aaron that made his presence felt last weekend as well. Rookie running back Aaron Jones, a fifth-round draft choice from UTEP, ran for 125 yards and one score on 19 carries in the comeback victory over the defending NFC East champions. Jones, who was inactive in Week 1 and didn’t get a carry the next two games, has suddenly become the Main Man in the backfield.
In the team’s last two games against the Chicago Bears and Cowboys, he’s racked up 32 attempts for 174 yards and scored one touchdown in each contest.
However, what happens this week when the team’s opening-week starter in the backfield may be primed to make his return to the field?
Is Ty still the runner?
In what would result in a 35-14 Thursday night win over the Bears at Lambeau Field, it was Green Bay Packers’ running back Ty Montgomery who got off to a solid start. The wide receiver/turned backfield threat carried five times for 28 yards before going down with injured ribs. Rookie runner Jamaal Williams ran four times for 11 yards before leaving the game early in the second quarter. Enter Jones, who took over for the remainder of the evening.
He finished with 13 carries for 49 yards and that aforementioned score. Jones is ready to go this week, and Williams isn’t even on the injury list. On the other hand, Montgomery is listed as questionable this week. It would appear that head coach Mike McCarthy has his main threat for this game in Jones. But what about the team’s running game going forward.
Backfield by committee…again?
In their first four games this season, the Green Bay Packers failed to reach the 100-yard mark. They obliterated that figure last Sunday against the Cowboys as Aaron Jones, Rodgers and company rolled up an impressive 160 yards on the ground. As we all know, more support from the running attack means more reset for the defense.
It also enables Green Bay’s star-signal-caller to utilize play action more effectively. It’s hard to tell what the future holds for Montgomery until he is 100 percent healthy. For now, it’s Jones and perhaps Williams who will get the bulk of the work this weekend at Minnesota.
And here’s a thought when it comes to a team that drafted a total of three running backs in April (Williams, Jones and seventh-rounder Devante Mays). Could Montgomery eventually make the switch back to wide receiver?