The Green Bay Packers had several players not participate in practice on Thursday. For most of these players, it was a well-earned veteran rest day. For running back Josh Jacobs, though, it was due to concern over an injured groin.

Jacobs, of course, was signed by the Packers this offseason. The former Las Vegas Raiders running back got a four-year $48 million contract from Green Bay, though only the 2024 season is guaranteed. He is coming off of a down season in 2023 during which he rushed for a career-low 805 yards while averaging a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry.

The 2022 NFL rushing leader missed the final four games of the season due to a quad injury.

After practice on Thursday, Jacobs was asked if his injury is going to cause him to miss time. He assured reporters that, had it been the regular season, he would have been on the field without a second thought.

#Packers RB Josh Jacobs on missing today’s practice (groin): “I wouldn’t call it an injury. Tweaked it a little bit. If we were to have a game today, I’d definitely be playing.”

Added he could’ve practiced today, but the team wanted Jacobs to play it safe.

— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) August 1, 2024

Green Bay has been in training camp for a little of a week, so there is no need to risk serious injury, especially for one of their best players and premier running back.

Indeed, there is no question that it will be Jacobs who will be Green Bay’s starter in the offensive backfield. The battle for who will behind him, though, is a very interesting one to watch.

Green Bay Packers Running Back AJ Dillon Is Fighting for His Job

The Packers, of course, signed Jacobs to take the place of Aaron Jones, whom they released hours after the signing of the 2022 rushing champion. Jones did not want to take a pay cut again and has since signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

In addition to signing Jacobs, the Packers also re-signed AJ Dillon, who also had the worst season of his career last season. Even though he got better offers from other teams, Dillon took an extremely team-friendly deal to stay with the team that drafted him in 2020.

Dillon is reportedly in the best shape of his life and does have the added benefit of having been Green Bay’s backup running back in each of the last three seasons.

However, the backup job is not just being given to him. Green Bay also still has Emanuel Wilson, who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent last season. They also drafted Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft.

There is no particular player that currently is the favorite to come out on top in the battle for the backup running back spot, so preseason games will be vital for all three.

Wilson was the NFL preseason rushing leader last season, which is how he earned his way onto the team in the first place.