Training Camp Will Be the Last Chance for Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd

When the Green Bay Packers selected running back MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, they had high hopes for the former USC star. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented Lloyd from taking the field for more than one game in his first two pro seasons. That means that training camp this summer will be the last chance to MarShawn Lloyd to prove he was worth the Packers high draft pick and show what can do on the football field.

Training Camp Will Be the Last Chance for Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd: The Potential

The Packers were attracted to Lloyd’s breakaway speed and elusiveness. They figured he would make the perfect change of pace back for starter Josh Jacobs, who they had just signed as a free agent. Jacobs was a physical, between the tackles runner, while Lloyd was a one-cut, breakaway back who could give the team a home run threat every time he carried the football.

His college stats were a big selling point for GM Brian Gutekunst. In his final college season, Lloyd gained 820 yards on just 116 carries, giving him an impressive 7.1-yard per carry average. He also scored nine rushing touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, Lloyd forced 111 missed tackles on just 259 total touches over the last two seasons in college

Gutekunst was excited about Lloyd after the draft. “He’s a 220-pound man. He’s packed in a tighter frame but like his ability to make people miss, he’s got a little juice to him and, again, he’s 220 pounds, he breaks tackles. We think his best football’s ahead of him.”

The Struggles

Unfortunately for both Lloyd and the Packers, things haven’t worked out as planned in his first two seasons. As a rookie, Lloyd dealt with injuries in training camp and then managed to play just one regular season game before being sidelined again. He carried the ball six times for 15 yards and caught one pass for three yards before missing the rest of the season due to injuries.

In 2025, the Packers were hoping to see what Lloyd could do. Unfortunately, he suffered a groin injury early in training camp. Then he appeared in one preseason game before straining a hamstring. The team placed him on injured reserve.

At one point, the Packers opened the practice window for Lloyd, but he suffered another setback and was shelved for the season.

Thus far, in two seasons, the Packers have only seen Lloyd on the field for just one game. He how has the reputation of being a talented player who is never available to play.

Training Camp Will Be the Last Chance for Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd: Last Chance

Obviously, NFL teams can only have so much patience with a player who is unable to get on the field. Their patience seems to be running thin.

At the owners meetings last week, Gutekunst addressed the running back position and indicated additions could be coming. “I like our group,” Gutekunst told reporters. “Obviously, we brought Chris Brooks back. We think the world of him, not only as an offensive running back in all phases but also a special teams player. I feel really confident, if he has to go into a game, what he’s gonna do. We’re certainly gonna add competition to that room. But I like whether it’s MarShawn [Lloyd] as we get him healthy and get him going, Pierre Strong’s there. There’s guys we really like, but I’m sure there will be more competition to come.”

With Jacobs returning as the starter and Brooks re-signed to add depth, another running back would battle Lloyd for what would likely be one spot on the active roster. That means this summer it will be the last chance for Lloyd to prove he can stay healthy and be a productive NFL back.

The talent is certainly there. The team has been excited about his potential since the day they drafted him. But potential means you haven’t done it yet, and now Lloyd needs to turn that potential into production or go down as a disappointing footnote in Packers history.