The Green Bay Packers are reeling from a brutal Week 15, where they not only suffered a disheartening loss to the Denver Broncos but also watched star defender Micah Parsons go down for the season with a devastating ACL tear. Adding to the turmoil, wide receiver Christian Watson exited the game with a chest injury, leaving fans and the team holding their breath. Now, in a stunning update, head coach Matt LaFleur has delivered ominous news about running back Josh Jacobs, casting a shadow over the Packers’ upcoming crucial matchup against the Chicago Bears and their playoff aspirations.
Green Bay finds itself in a precarious spot in the NFC North standings. Following the defeat in Denver, the Packers sit in second place, trailing the first-place Chicago Bears by just a half-game. The team heads to Soldier Field on Saturday, December 20, for a Week 16 rematch with the Bears—a game that could redefine the division race. However, they’ll be without Parsons, whose absence leaves a massive void in the defense. And if LaFleur’s Tuesday press conference is any indication, Jacobs’ status is far from certain.
“He’s battling through. He’s as tough as they come, so I’ll never count him out of the fight,” LaFleur said of Jacobs during his media availability. “But if we were practicing today, he absolutely would not practice.” The coach elaborated that Jacobs took a significant hit to the knee early in the Broncos game, exacerbating existing health concerns and potentially sidelining him as the week progresses.
This development complicates the Packers’ offensive strategy against a Bears defense ranked No. 23 in run defense through Week 15. Jacobs, the team’s RB1, initially suffered a knee contusion in Week 11 against the New York Giants on November 16. He sat out the subsequent game against the Minnesota Vikings but has gutted through the last three contests, averaging nearly 81 rushing yards per game. Over that stretch, he’s also contributed five receptions for 33 yards and scored three touchdowns (two on the ground, one through the air).
The NFL’s decision to shift the Bears-Packers game to Saturday instead of Sunday doesn’t help matters, shortening the recovery window for banged-up players like Jacobs. If he carries an injury designation into the weekend—as he has for the past three weeks—the Packers face a tough dilemma. Jacobs is pivotal in exploiting Chicago’s run vulnerabilities and reclaiming the division lead. Rushing him back too soon could jeopardize his health for the remainder of the season, potentially derailing Green Bay’s playoff push. Conversely, resting him might mean missing the postseason altogether, or entering it with a diminished backfield.
Amid the fallout from Parsons’ season-ending injury, which has already weakened the Packers’ defensive front, losing Jacobs—even temporarily—could be catastrophic. The team is fighting for a playoff spot in a tightly contested NFC, and every game counts. Parsons’ ACL tear not only ends his 2025 campaign but forces adjustments across the board, putting more pressure on the offense to carry the load.
On a brighter note, there’s positive news regarding Christian Watson. The wide receiver, who left the Denver game with a chest issue, is expected to suit up against the Bears. Watson’s father took to social media Sunday night to reassure fans: “You haters aren’t going to get what you want tonight. #9 is fine!” Watson has been a game-changer since returning from his own ACL injury in late October, amassing 28 catches for 481 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. His vertical threat provides quarterback Jordan Love with a much-needed weapon, offering some optimism amid the injury chaos.
As the Packers navigate this bombshell update on Jacobs and the ongoing repercussions of Parsons’ injury, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win in Chicago could propel them back to the top of the NFC North, but without key contributors at full strength, the path forward looks daunting. Fans will be watching closely as the team provides further updates throughout the week, hoping for a turnaround in what has become a season defined by adversity.