Kaleb Johnson Should Be Green Bay’s RB1 While Jacobs Is Out

Green Bay Packers Kaleb Johnson Should Be Green Bay's RB1 While Jacobs Is Out Photo Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images By Dan Saia - November 12, 2026 After the Green Bay Packers shellacked the New England Patriots on Sunday, one low-key development was an improved rushing attack, notably led by second-year back Kaleb Johnson . While it was nothing earth-shattering, it was a step in the right direction. With Josh Jacobs needing surgery to repair a fractured finger suffered against New England, the team must decide who will lead its backfield while its starting running back recovers. Although several options are available, the answer should be straightforward: Kaleb Johnson deserves the opportunity to take over as Green Bay’s RB1. Kaleb Johnson gave Green Bay exactly what they needed during Sunday’s 45-27 victory over New England. In his biggest opportunity of the season, the second-year running back carried the ball 14 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he showed the kind of physical ability and explosiveness that could make him an important piece of Matt LaFleur’s offense moving forward. Kaleb Johnson powers in! What a first half for the @Packers GBvsNE on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dmNuSX6KwF — NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2026 This wasn’t simply a young player accumulating stats because of an expanded workload. Johnson showed legitimate signs of being capable of handling a larger role, particularly in an offense that has struggled to establish consistency on the ground throughout the first half of the season. The Packers announced Jacobs will undergo surgery this week, and LaFleur acknowledged that placing him on injured reserve remains a possibility. That would guarantee at least a four-game absence. Regardless of the final timetable, Green Bay needs to identify a dependable lead back rather than trying to replace Jacobs’ production with a committee that lacks a clear hierarchy. Enter Johnson. The most encouraging part of his performance was his work after contact. He finished with 60 yards after contact and forced two missed tackles. His 34-yard second-half run was Green Bay’s longest rush of the season. He also owns their second-longest, a 31-yarder against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4. The Packers’ longest run of the season, a 31-yarder by Kaleb Johnson, sets up Tucker Kraft’s 2-yard TD. pic.twitter.com/aD5EdwrQeJ — Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 4, 2026 Those plays stand out for a team that averaged barely 60 rushing yards per game through Week 8. Green Bay finished with 129 against New England, a significant improvement that helped balance the offense. At 6’1”, 224 lbs., Johnson has the size to run between the tackles, absorb contact, and finish carries. Against New England, he showed patience pressing the line before accelerating decisively when a crease opened. That’s vital in LaFleur’s zone-running system, which asks backs to read blocks, make one cut, and get north quickly. Green Bay also needs to find out what it has in Johnson. The Packers acquired him from Pittsburgh late in training camp after he struggled to establish himself there. A costly fumble at Tampa Bay contributed to him falling out of the rotation, and he was inactive against the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. Sunday’s performance was a response; Johnson played 26 offensive snaps and made the most of them. That doesn’t mean Johnson should receive every touch. Pierre Strong deserves a role, too. He played 30 snaps against the Patriots and carried eight times for 22 yards. His speed can complement Johnson on outside runs and change-of-pace opportunities. I didn't remember the wingback counter coming off Pierre Strong playing QB lol pic.twitter.com/Oi1382F4VV — Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) November 10, 2026 Chris Brooks could return from injured reserve after resuming practice last week. He knows the protection schemes and offers value as a pass catcher, particularly against Minnesota’s pressure packages. MarShawn Lloyd ‘s knee injury adds another variable, and his availability cannot be assumed — and he wasn’t very effective when healthy anyway. But a rotation is different from a lead back. Johnson should get the first opportunity, with Strong and Brooks spelling him according to matchup and game situation. A defined role would let him build rhythm instead of wondering whether one mistake will send him back to the sideline. It would also give LaFleur a better evaluation of whether Sunday’s performance can become a weekly standard. The biggest question is whether Johnson can handle an NFL starter’s responsibilities. Pass protection will be critical against Minnesota’s pressure packages. He must identify blitzes, square up defenders, and execute. He also needs to become a reliable receiving option. Otherwise, defenses will recognize he is on the field primarily to run, making what’s been a struggle to run even harder if he becomes predictable. Those developmental concerns shouldn’t prevent Green Bay from giving him a chance. Johnson has shown the burst and contact balance that have been missing from stretches of the rushing attack. The Packers don’t need him to become Jacobs overnight. They need a back who gains positive yards, protects the football, and keeps defenses honest. The timing matters. Green Bay is coming off its most complete performance of the season, and the passing game is becoming dangerous with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden making plays downfield. A productive rushing attack would make that group harder to defend. If Johnson produces on early downs, LaFleur will have more freedom with play-action. Jacobs remains Green Bay’s most established running back, and his absence will be felt. But injuries create opportunities, and Johnson has finally given the Packers a reason to believe he can be more than a depth player. Sunday’s performance wasn’t enough to declare him a finished product. It was enough to justify a larger role. Once Jacobs returns, the Packers may have something of a two-headed monster in the backfield. Green Bay should make Kaleb Johnson its starting running back while Jacobs recovers. Let Strong contribute, work Brooks back into the mix when healthy, and involve Lloyd if his knee allows. But give Johnson the carries that come with being RB1. The Packers need answers in the backfield, and the best place to start is with the young runner who just delivered their most encouraging rushing performance of the season. Dan Saia All Articles