Chris Brooks Is Starting To Demand RB2 Snaps

While Packers Nation celebrates another walk-off win courtesy of newcomer Brandon McManus, there’s another relative newcomer worth talking about. Unlike the kicker addition, this one arrived with much less fanfare.

Chris Brooks has quietly created room in the middle of the running back rotation with fellow backup Emanuel Wilson behind starter Josh Jacobs. After not seeing the field during his first few weeks in Green Bay, Brooks has gained confidence in the coaching staff. Recently, he out-snapped Wilson on offense and found himself with the ball in his hands late in a tie game.

The Green Bay Packers have had a lot of movement at the bottom of the running back depth chart this season. Between the season-ending injury to veteran A.J. Dillon and injuries to rookie MarShawn Lloyd, it’s been a revolving door of players vying to fill that role.

The Packers first signed Brooks to their practice squad after final cuts on September 3. Then, on September 17, they elevated him to their 53-man active roster after placing rookie Lloyd on injured reserve.

Brooks, a second-year running back from BYU, had spent all of the 2023 season and 2024 preseason with the Miami Dolphins, seeing action in nine games and rushing for 106 yards on 19 carries. The Packers had been looking for another option in their backfield after Lloyd dealt with injury issues throughout the summer, missing most of his rookie training camp.

Brooks emerged as the top option after the team looked at La’Mical Perine and Ellis Merriweather. Perine had a short two-week stint on the practice squad. Merriweather, another second-year player, was with the team last year and throughout camp. The Packers elevated him to the active roster for Week 1 in Brazil. Still, they had their eye on Brooks toward the end of camp.

Shortly after signing Brooks, head coach Matt LaFleur said:

Once Lloyd went out with injury, it seemed natural that Wilson would take over primary backup duties behind Jacobs. He was the only other running back for the first few weeks to see any snaps.

Brooks didn’t even log an offensive snap in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings or Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. He only played on special teams. He only took four snaps in mop-up duty against the Tennessee Titans. However, he’s seen the field more over the last three weeks while Wilson’s playing time has slowly diminished.

In Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, Wilson out-snapped Brooks. 23 to 10. Still, it was noteworthy that Brooks got his first real playing time outside of mop-up duty against the Titans. He finished that game with four carries for 21 yards.

In Week 7 against the Houston Texans, the Packers nearly cut Wilson’s snaps in half, down to only 12. While he did out-snap Brooks, who logged eight, Brooks was on the field during the final drive, pass-blocking for Jordan Love. Even though Brooks didn’t touch the ball against the Texans, his pass-blocking ability has impressed the coaching staff.

After that game, LaFleur explained why they went with Brooks:

Brooks proved his coach right when he made a crucial block on a blitz pickup, helping give Love the time needed to hit Romeo Doubs and set up the winning field goal.

That led to a bigger role this past Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. For the first time all season, Brooks logged more offensive snaps than Wilson, 17 to 12. Granted, Brooks’ stats aren’t enough to garner RB1 consideration. He finished the game with four carries for 16 yards and one reception for one yard. Still, he’s doing enough during the week in practice to earn playing time when Jacobs needs a breather.

He again found himself on the field over Wilson late in the game. With the Packers driving down the field and the game tied at 27 after the defense failed to make a stop, Brooks took a handoff and had a clear path to the end zone. He had the presence of mind to stop short of the goal line and slide down to ensure he didn’t score, allowing the Packers to wind down the clock and kick the game-winning field goal. That probably wasn’t easy for him to do, considering it would have been his first career NFL touchdown.

“That was definitely a big move by him, man,” said Jacobs. “He came in, he played a big role. I don't know if y'all really pay attention to how much he contributes to this offense, but he does a lot, man, and that's kudos to him. He’s played in this type of offense before, and he’s been a great addition.”

Things in the NFL are fluid, so we might never get a clearly defined backup running back between Brooks and Wilson. The Packers may choose whichever back fits their strategy best for a particular game or situation.

Lloyd’s return will also impact the pecking order; the team spent a third-round pick on him this past April. But until Lloyd can prove he can stay healthy, Brooks and Wilson will figure prominently into the team’s plans. It looks like Brian Gutekunst found another hidden gem. Given recent performances, it looks like Chris Brooks could be in line for an expanded role in this offense. Now let’s hope the Packers can get him that elusive first touchdown.