Packers Thursday Update From Practice: A Strong Possibility

Green Bay Packers running back Chris Brooks missed a second consecutive practice on Thursday with the ankle injury sustained last week at Tampa Bay.

“We’re going to give him another day, see where he’s at tomorrow and then, obviously, make a decision after that,” coach Matt LaFleur said before practice, the second of the week before Sunday’s huge rivalry showdown against the Chicago Bears.

Brooks was one of three players who didn’t practice on Thursday.

If Brooks isn’t able to play this week, the Packers almost certainly would add Pierre Strong from the practice squad. While the Packers have an empty spot on their 53-man roster, they probably would elevate him rather than promote him.

With 15 carries for 58 yards (3.9 average), Strong was one of the team’s more productive running backs during the preseason but lost out on his bid to make the 53-man roster after the team traded for Kaleb Johnson.

“I feel like God puts everybody through a test. So, I'm hungry,” he said after the final preseason game. “I'm always going to be hungry. Practice squad, 53-man roster. I'm still hungry, but I'm very hungry now. So, I want to get back to where I've been.”

The Packers have the worst rushing attack in the NFL this season and are on pace for the worst rushing attack in NFL history.

Could Strong help? A fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022, he totaled 499 rushing yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry with New England in 2022 and Cleveland in 2023 and 2024. He added 26 receptions, averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return and even contributed 17 tackles.

Three Players Didn’t Practice