The Green Bay Packers came into the 2017 NFL season with a lot of confidence in converted running back Ty Montgomery to carry the load for the team. They let former starter Eddie Lacy leave and gambled that Montgomery would continue to improve after making the move from wide receiver. If anything, Montgomery has been consistent, playing a higher percentage of snaps through the first three games of the season than any other running back in the NFL.

However, Montgomery only ran for 26 yards on five carries in the Green Bay Packers 35-14 Thursday night win over the Chicago Bears before falling to a rib injury.

His backup Jamaal Williams hurt his knee after only running for 11 yards on four carries. That meant it was time for rookie running back Aaron Jones to step up to the plate.

Aaron Jones big night

Jones was one of two running backs that the Green Bay Packers drafted in the 2017 NFL Draft. They chose Jamaal Williams in the fourth round from BYU and Aaron Jones in the fifth round from UTEP. With Montgomery and Williams both out injured, Jones came in and ran for 49 yards on 13 carries (3.76 yards-per-carry) and ran for a touchdown. After the touchdown, Jones enjoyed the first Lambeau Leap of his career.

In the press conference after the game, Aaron Rodgers said that he has been a fan of Aaron Jones since he first joined the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers complimented Jones “natural” rushing skills. His 49 yards is the most for any Packers running back in a game since the season opener when Montgomery ran for 54 yards on 19 carries. However, Montgomery also adds to the passing game and Jones finished Thursday night without a reception.

The upcoming Cowboys game

According to the Green Bay Packers official website, Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams might both be sidelined for the Dallas Cowboys game next week and that means that Aaron Jones could end up as the starting running back in that game.

However, at the same time, ESPN reported that the rib injury was not as serious as previously reported when the Packers said that he had broken ribs.

Mike McCarthy said that injuries are different for different people and that means the treatment, the location of the injury, and the position the person plays all factors into it.

McCarthy said that he has no idea when Ty Montgomery will return but they are preparing for him to play in Dallas if he is ready to come back thanks to the long layoff after the Thursday night win. He said the team will know more about Ty on Tuesday of next week.

However, Jamaal Williams will miss some extended time with a knee sprain. Regardless of Ty Montgomery’s status, expect Aaron Jones to receive more playing time after his first touchdown of the season for the Green Bay Packers.
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