The Green Bay Packers will enter their 2026 NFL Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings without starting running back Josh Jacobs, forcing Green Bay to turn to a reshuffled backfield for its regular-season opener.
With Jacobs unavailable, MarShawn Lloyd is listed as the Packers’ starting running back, followed by Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson on Green Bay’s depth chart.
The Packers vs Vikings game kicks off at 4:25 PM ET today, Sunday, September 13, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Packers RB Depth Chart vs Vikings Today
Green Bay’s running back depth chart entering today’s game against Minnesota is:
| Running Back | Depth Chart |
|---|---|
| MarShawn Lloyd | RB1 |
| Chris Brooks | RB2 |
| Kaleb Johnson | RB3 |
| Josh Jacobs | Unavailable |
Lloyd is positioned to receive the first opportunity to lead Green Bay’s rushing attack, although the Packers could distribute carries among multiple running backs.
Who Is Starting at Running Back for the Packers Today?
MarShawn Lloyd is listed as the Packers’ starting running back against the Vikings.
Lloyd moves into the RB1 position with Jacobs unavailable and now has an opportunity to take on a considerably larger role in Green Bay’s offense.
How large that role becomes remains one of the biggest questions entering the matchup.
The Packers could give Lloyd the majority of their rushing attempts or use a committee featuring Brooks and Johnson to reduce the workload on any single running back.
Why Isn’t Josh Jacobs Playing Today vs Vikings?
Josh Jacobs isn’t playing against the Minnesota Vikings because he remains on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List.
Jacobs is therefore unavailable for Green Bay’s Week 1 matchup despite his absence not being related to a football injury.
The NFL placed Jacobs on the exempt list amid his legal situation.
Jacobs pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge ahead of the season opener, but he remained on the exempt list entering Sunday’s game.
Players on the Commissioner’s Exempt List generally cannot participate in games while they remain on the list.
That leaves Green Bay without its established starting running back for one of its biggest divisional matchups of the season.
Is Josh Jacobs Injured?
No. Josh Jacobs isn’t missing Packers vs Vikings because of an injury.
His absence is connected to his placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt List rather than a physical issue.
That distinction is important when considering Green Bay’s running back situation beyond Week 1.
Jacobs could potentially return to the Packers lineup once his exempt-list status changes, although the timing of that decision will depend on the NFL.
What to Expect From MarShawn Lloyd vs Vikings
Lloyd enters Week 1 with perhaps the biggest opportunity of his NFL career.
With Jacobs unavailable, Lloyd has moved to the top of Green Bay’s running back depth chart and could receive significant work both as a runner and potentially as a receiver out of the backfield.
The Packers could look to establish the running game early against Minnesota, particularly if they want to prevent the Vikings defense from focusing exclusively on Green Bay’s passing attack.
Lloyd’s performance could also influence how the Packers distribute carries if Jacobs remains unavailable beyond Week 1.
A strong performance would give Green Bay additional confidence in its running back depth.
Chris Brooks Could Have a Bigger Role
Chris Brooks is listed behind Lloyd and could also receive meaningful carries against Minnesota.
Brooks gives Green Bay another option for early-down and short-yardage situations.
Rather than asking Lloyd to immediately handle every responsibility normally assigned to Jacobs, the Packers could rotate Brooks into the backfield throughout the afternoon.
That would allow Green Bay to keep its running backs fresh while creating different personnel combinations for the Vikings defense.
Where Does Kaleb Johnson Fit Into the Packers Backfield?
Kaleb Johnson provides another option behind Lloyd and Brooks.
Johnson joined Green Bay shortly before the beginning of the regular season after previously being with Pittsburgh.
Because of the relatively short amount of time he has had to learn Green Bay’s offense, his workload against Minnesota could be more difficult to predict.
However, Jacobs’ absence increases the possibility that Johnson receives offensive snaps during the season opener.
His role will be worth watching as Green Bay determines how it wants to divide its available running back touches.
Will the Packers Use a Running Back Committee?
A running back committee is possible against the Vikings, even with Lloyd officially sitting atop the depth chart.
Being listed as RB1 does not necessarily mean Lloyd will receive every rushing opportunity.
Green Bay could divide the workload based on game situation, personnel packages, pass protection responsibilities and short-yardage situations.
Lloyd should have the clearest path to leading the Packers in carries, but Brooks and Johnson could both factor into the game plan.
The distribution of touches will be one of the biggest offensive storylines to monitor during Packers vs Vikings.
Packers Backfield Without Josh Jacobs
Jacobs’ absence creates a significant change for Green Bay’s offense.
The veteran running back normally gives the Packers an established option capable of handling a substantial workload.
Without him, Green Bay will rely on a considerably less experienced group.
That puts additional pressure on Lloyd, Brooks and Johnson to keep the Packers’ rushing attack productive and prevent Minnesota from making Green Bay’s offense one-dimensional.
It also gives the Packers an opportunity to evaluate the rest of their running back room in meaningful regular-season action.
When Could Josh Jacobs Return?
There is currently no guaranteed date for Jacobs to return to the Packers lineup.
His availability depends on his status with the NFL and when he is removed from the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
Until that happens, Green Bay will have to prepare its offense without him.
If Jacobs remains unavailable beyond Week 1, Lloyd could continue operating as the Packers’ primary running back with Brooks and Johnson working behind him.
Packers vs Vikings Week 1 Game Information
| Game Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings |
| Week | NFL Week 1 |
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 4:25 PM ET |
| Location | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis |
| Packers Starting RB | MarShawn Lloyd |
| Josh Jacobs Status | Unavailable |
Bottom Line: Who Is the Packers Starting RB Today?
MarShawn Lloyd is listed as the Green Bay Packers’ starting running back against the Minnesota Vikings today with Josh Jacobs unavailable.
Lloyd sits atop a Packers running back depth chart that also includes Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson.
Green Bay could use all three running backs during the game, making the exact distribution of carries something to monitor once the matchup begins.
Jacobs, meanwhile, remains unavailable because of his placement on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List rather than an injury.
For now, the Packers will turn to Lloyd and the rest of their backfield as they open the 2026 NFL regular season against the Vikings at 4:25 PM ET.