The Green Bay Packers are bolstering their running backs room ahead of their Sunday, October 19 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in the desert.
Starter Josh Jacobs was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an illness and a calf injury. He returned as a full participant on Friday but remained questionable for the team’s Week 7 game as of Saturday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday how Green Bay is preparing for Jacobs’ potential absence or limited effectiveness against the Cardinals. “Packers elevated RB Pierre Strong Jr. from their practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game at Arizona,” Schefter posted on X. Additionally, “Packers CB Keisean Nixon has also been added to the injury report and is questionable for Sunday’s game due to illness.”
### Pierre Strong Jr.: A Reliable Reserve Running Back
Pierre Strong Jr. has proven himself a sturdy reserve running back across three NFL seasons. He spent the last two years with the Cleveland Browns after entering the league with the New England Patriots.
Over his career, Strong has recorded 99 carries for 499 rushing yards, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt, and has scored two rushing touchdowns. He has also caught 26 passes for 193 receiving yards and returned 24 kickoffs. Strong has appeared in 46 games but has only one career start.
### Josh Jacobs’ 2025 Season So Far
Jacobs has faced some struggles this season compared to his Pro Bowl campaign last year. He has played in all five games, rushing for 359 yards on 98 carries (3.7 yards per carry), and scored six rushing touchdowns. Jacobs has also contributed as a receiver with 15 catches for 176 yards.
### Packers Face Numerous Injury Concerns Ahead of Arizona Game
Green Bay’s injury report remains lengthy, although only a few key players are confirmed to miss Sunday’s game. Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt will both be sidelined due to foot and knee injuries, respectively. Wide receiver Christian Watson remains out recovering from a knee injury sustained in January.
Several other players were listed as questionable for the matchup, including tackle Anthony Belton (ankle), cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee), kicker Brandon McManus (right quadricep), offensive lineman Jacob Monk (hamstring), right tackle Zach Tom (oblique, back), and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle).
### Cardinals’ Injury Concerns
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray is also questionable for Sunday’s game because of a foot injury that limited his practice participation throughout the week.
### Game Odds
Despite the uncertainty surrounding injuries on both sides, Green Bay opened as a 6.5-point road favorite for the Sunday showdown.
As the Packers aim to navigate their injury challenges, all eyes will be on how key players like Jacobs and Strong perform against the Cardinals in what promises to be an intense Week 7 battle.
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