Is Josh Jacobs Injured? Breaking Down if the Packers Star Is Hurt After Slow Start on SNF vs. Steelers
The Green Bay Packers have not been impressive in the first half of the huge matchup against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers haven’t looked like a one-loss team as the Steelers have controlled the early stages of the primetime battle. But they are only chasing nine points heading into the break, and their star RB Josh Jacobs has not been very active.
Try out PFSN’s FREE playoff predictor, where you can simulate every 2025-26 NFL season game and see how it all shakes out!
Josh Jacobs’ Slow Start
Jacobs is healthy, but hasn’t been as involved as usual in the first half. The broadcast mentioned that the Packers are watching the number of touches and snaps that Jacobs is getting.
He’s been banged up at points in the early part of the season. They are monitoring Jacobs, but he is not injured.
Jacobs has five carries for 16 yards and two catches for 10 yards. He needs to be more effective if the Packers want to have a shot at overturning this deficit. The Packers have left points on the board in the first half with two missed field goals by Brandon McManus.
The Packers have to find the plays that will unlock the offense and open up the Pittsburgh defense that has held them to just seven points in the first half. Tucker Kraft has been a bright spot for the Green Bay offense, but outside of that, it has been quiet for everyone else.
Establishing a run game with Jacobs would be a good start to the half for the Packers. It would open up the field for a better pass game and also help to shorten their later down-yardage. Jacobs has been a reliable rushing weapon for Green Bay. He has built a reputation for being a back that coaches can trust. Heading into Week 8, he was the eighth-ranked running back in the league based on PFSN’s RB Impact metric.
MORE: Why Did Aaron Rodgers Leave the Packers? Revisiting the Legendary QB’s Ugly Breakup With Green Bay
The Packers did that on their opening drive of the third quarter. It was a heavy dose of Tucker Kraft catches and Josh Jacobs runs. Jacobs got four carries for only nine yards, but the offense looked great out of the break. A Savion Williams touchdown capped off the drive.
The Packers needed to come out swinging, or they risked the game getting out of hand. The defense made the key stop, and the offense scored the important touchdown to cut the deficit to just two points. The two missed field goals continue to loom large, but the Packers have to move on and not harp on the past.
Head coach Matt LaFleur spoke about how important it was to move on and get the offense scoring touchdowns. Whatever he said in the locker room got through to his team as they responded well. It’s shaping up to be a great game that could very well come down to the wire.
