The Green Bay Packers are grappling with a troubling string of injuries as quarterback Jordan Love recently underwent thumb surgery following a ligament injury sustained against the Jets on August 9. This setback adds to the team’s medical challenges just as running back MarShawn Lloyd also suffered a hamstring injury during a preseason game against Indianapolis on August 16, forcing him off the field after only one quarter of play. These developments have intensified concerns over player health ahead of the regular season, stirring questions about the team’s medical protocols.
Lloyd, whose rookie year was heavily disrupted by injuries, displayed promising skill before his latest setback, hauling in a crucial 33-yard catch in the Indianapolis game before his hamstring gave out. His injury history includes a hip issue that affected his initial training camp, hamstring troubles that kept him out of the season opener against Philadelphia, an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve after Week 2, and appendicitis in November. The recurrence of hamstring problems this preseason has raised alarms within the Packers organization and among fans.
Coaching Staff Expresses Frustration Over Persistent Injury Issues
Running backs coach Ben Sirmans confessed that Lloyd’s series of mishaps defies typical experience.
To be honest, I have not, and I don’t think any of us have, or very few of us have,
Sirmans remarked when asked about dealing with a player facing such unfortunate injury luck. Head coach Matt LaFleur‘s frustration has also emerged publicly, questioning whether the medical team might need to revisit their treatment and prevention strategies.
Those are my questions to our medical staff all the time. Is there anything else that we could be doing, or that he should be doing? He’s in great shape … I think you’ve got to chalk it up to some bad luck,
LaFleur stated, highlighting the desperation for answers amid the mounting injury woes. The Packers have referred Lloyd to the Madison facility that previously aided Christian Watson and Eric Stokes in recovering from similar soft-tissue injuries, but these efforts have yet to prevent further hamstring damage for Lloyd.
LaFleur confirmed that Lloyd will miss an unspecified amount of time, though it remains unclear if he will be ready for the Packers’ Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Lloyd’s absence significantly impacts the running back depth chart, opening roster spots for contenders Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks, who were initially competing for a single spot behind starter Josh Jacobs.
He certainly has shown a skill set and playmaking ability,
LaFleur acknowledged about Lloyd,
but talent means nothing when you can’t stay on the field.
Jordan Love’s Surgery Decision Reflects Long-Term Focus Amid Injury Concerns
Jordan Love’s choice to undergo thumb ligament surgery was a strategic attempt to avoid prolonging injury troubles seen last season, when a knee injury in Week 1 against Philadelphia slowed him down for the rest of the year. The injury, which required surgery on Love’s non-throwing hand, came early enough in the preseason to allow for recovery before the regular season opener, showing a measured approach toward health preservation.
I think with the time frame that we have right now, finishing up training camp and preseason and heading into the season with the choice to be going into the season 100% healthy was definitely the call I wanted to make,
Love explained, indicating that his decision was aimed at entering the season fully fit rather than risking further damage. He also reflected on the timing of the surgery:
If this was in the middle of the season, probably would’ve been something we didn’t get the surgery on,
Love said,
But with it still being early and I’m having time to recover and be fully ready for Week 1, the recommendation was to get the surgery.
Love’s careful management contrasts with the previous season’s struggles when his knee injury curtailed his rhythm despite respectable statistics — a 63.1 percent completion rate, 3,389 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The quarterback emphasized the lessons learned from last year:
Dealing with injuries last year, I wanted to go into this thing feeling good,
he admitted, underscoring his priority to avoid rushing back prematurely this season.
Injury Pattern Raises Alarming Questions About Packers’ Medical Care
The recurring injuries not only frustrate players and coaches but also cast doubts on the effectiveness of the Packers’ medical staff and recovery strategies. The organization’s visible openness to reassessing their approach reflects the gravity of the situation, particularly as multiple key athletes, including Love and Lloyd, face long-term health concerns before the season begins.
With Lloyd’s latest injury and Love’s recent surgery, the Packers must prepare for altered lineups, which could influence their competitiveness in the early stages of the 2025 NFL season. If Lloyd is placed on injured reserve again, the Packers will need to deepen their running back roster with players like Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks likely stepping into bigger roles behind Josh Jacobs.
These ongoing setbacks have placed Green Bay’s coaching and medical teams under intense scrutiny, heightening the pressure to prevent further injuries and maintain player health. The situation remains fluid as the team navigates these challenges in training camp and the preseason, aiming to enter the regular season with key contributors available and ready.
Looking Ahead: Packers’ Path Forward After Injury Setbacks
As the Packers contort their roster plans to accommodate these injuries, the focus will be on recovery timelines and the ability of the medical staff to offer effective rehabilitation to avoid repeated problems. Jordan Love’s calculated surgery and cautious return timeline may set a precedent for managing injuries more conservatively going forward.
The running backs’ injury turmoil threatens to disrupt Green Bay’s offensive preparations, making roster depth and medical evaluations critical priorities. Whether the team can reverse its recent injury misfortunes will play a crucial role in their prospects this season and could influence organizational decisions about player care protocols moving forward.