The Green Bay Packers defeated the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, largely thanks to the performance of running back Josh Jacobs despite playing through injury.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Josh Jacobs, who played through a calf injury and scored two touchdowns in the Green Bay Packers’ win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, is “an ultimate competitor,” coach Matt LaFleur said.

Jacobs sustained the calf injury during Friday’s practice and had to get through a pregame workout to be cleared to play.
“They took him out there and put him through a pretty extensive workout,” LaFleur said at Lambeau Field on Monday, a day after the 27–23 victory that pushed the team’s record to 4–1–1. “There’s always a risk when you go out there and play, but if there was a much greater risk, we wouldn’t have put him in that situation.”

“Sometimes you’ve got to protect the player from themselves, and he’s one of those guys. He’s an unbelievable competitor. But I do think there’s an element of trust with certain guys based on what they’ve battled through in the past.”

Jacobs played only 10 snaps with four carries in the first half. But with a 13–6 halftime deficit, Jacobs took on a bigger role. In the second half, he logged 21 snaps, rushed nine times for 34 yards and scored the tying and go-ahead touchdowns.

On second-and-5 from the 9, Jacobs gained 8 yards to the 1. On the next play, he scored. By our count, three of his five missed tackles forced came on those two snaps.

“Certainly, those runs he made at the end of the game—I don’t know if we blocked anybody—but he found a way to get yards and did a hell of a job,” LaFleur said. “We don’t win that game without Josh Jacobs.”

It was his sixth game with two or more rushing touchdowns since the start of last season, tied with Jonathan Taylor for the most in the NFL. He and Taylor lead the way with three such games this season.

Jacobs received the game ball from LaFleur after the game, and he was visibly emotional during his remarks.

His decision to play underscores Jacobs’ love for the game and for his teammates. He didn’t have to play. The season is long and more important games lie ahead. But it mattered to Jacobs, even if he wasn’t at 100 percent.

“That’s exactly the conversation we had with him,” LaFleur said. “Like, ‘Hey, there’s a long road ahead of us.’ I’d never want to sacrifice the long term for the short term, and he’s a big part of our football team. You’ve got to be really smart with what you do in that situation.”

Jacobs didn’t just push to play. He pushed for more snaps and touches.

“Don’t ever doubt me and don’t ever limit me—trust me and let me be myself,” he said after the game.

Jacobs looked like himself on the 7-yard touchdown run that tied the game in the third quarter, showing an extra gear to win the race to the pylon. Then, with the game on the line, he simply would not be denied.

Coming off his “Flu Game” against the Bengals, when he posted 150 total yards, this wasn’t exactly “Calf Game II,” but he was again the difference—like always.

“My calf is pretty good,” Jacobs said of the injury. “I did it on Friday—that’s always tough. I tried to tell them. The last time I had something like this, I had the best game of my career—304 yards against Seattle the last time I sprained my calf on a Friday. I just tried to tell them, ‘Trust me.’ I’m going to be honest about how I feel and what I can do. Don’t ever doubt me and don’t ever limit me—just trust me and let me be who I am.”

Receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who missed most of the second half last week with an ankle injury, made a catch early in the third quarter on Sunday but then missed most of the second half with a calf issue.

Linebacker Quay Walker missed eight snaps but finished the game. He was superb with nine tackles, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits.

“He’s had a hell of a season,” LaFleur said. “There are moments where you can see he’s a little ginger out there, just battling through.”

Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt missed a second consecutive game with a knee injury. He didn’t practice the last two weeks, so his status when the team returns to work on Wednesday will be important.

Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks have picked up the slack, and rookie Warren Brinson—who was a healthy scratch for the first four games—has provided 54 snaps of quality depth over the last two games.

“Those guys have done a lot of great things,” LaFleur said of Brooks and Wooden, a pair of third-year pros. “I think both of them made some very impactful plays last night.”

Defensive end Lukas Van Ness missed Sunday’s game with a foot injury suffered while sacking Joe Flacco last week. He wasn’t even seen last week in the Don Hutson Center, where injured players ride stationary bikes or ellipticals to stay in shape.

Could he be back this week?

“I’m not overly optimistic,” LaFleur said, “but we’ll see.”

Cornerback Nate Hobbs popped up on Friday’s injury report with a knee issue and was listed as questionable. He played every snap but allowed 4-of-5 passing for 87 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.

Asked about Hobbs’ performance and the injury, LaFleur made no mention of the knee.
“Hobbs is a competitive dude who takes a lot of pride in his work. He loves ball, and I think he’ll rebound and, in the end, he’ll be better for it.”