5 running backs the Green Bay Packers could acquire
The Green Bay Packers are injury-thinned at running back again, so here are five guys they could acquire.
It’s approaching a full 16 regular season games since circumstances forced the Green Bay Packers to try wide receiver Ty Montgomery at running back. He produced nicely upon making the transition, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 44 receptions over essentially 11 games.
Montgomery became the Packers’ clear No. 1 running back early this season, with the snap counts to match, and on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears he had five carries for 28 yards on the opening drive.
But that heavy workload opened Montgomery up to injury, with a wrist issue heading into a short week. He then left Thursday night’s game with a chest injury, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network later reported broken ribs for Montgomery.
Rookie Jamaal Williams left Thursday night’s game with a knee injury, which left Green Bay with just two healthy running backs for the balance of the contest. Rookie Aaron Jones performed admirably against Chicago, with 13 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown, but if Montgomery misses significant time and Williams is not able to get right the Packers may be forced to see what’s out there at running back.
On that note, here are five running backs Packers general manager Ted Thompson could look to acquire.
5. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Through two games this season, Sims has just seven touches, 22 total yards and a lost fumble. Tampa Bay’s running game has not been robust to this point, so when Doug Martin finishes his suspension this week he’s in line to step into a prominent role right away.
Sims has played all 16 games only once in three NFL seasons, but he had 51 receptions and averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2015. During his college career, three years at Houston and one at West Virginia, Sims had 203 receptions.
The Packers could use a running back that can be a weapon in the passing game. The Buccaneers may be looking to trade from their backfield depth soon, and Sims currently looks like the odd-man out when Martin returns .