Packers Activate RB Emanuel Wilson vs. Bears

The Green Bay Packers are a man down in the backfield with AJ Dillon out for Sunday against the Bears.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – According to John Miller of Green Bay’s NBC-26, rookie running back Emanuel Wilson will be activated from injured reserve for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

The source? Wilson himself.

The Packers made the news official on Saturday afternoon. To make room for the additions of Wilson and tight end Luke Musgrave from injured reserve, the Packers placed safety Rudy Ford (hamstring) on injured reserve and released cornerback David Long.

The Packers are a man down in the backfield. While Aaron Jones is healthy and coming off back-to-back games of 120-plus rushing yards, his veteran sidekick, AJ Dillon is out. Not because of the broken thumb, which was aggravated in last week’s win at Minnesota, but because of a stinger sustained in the game.

That left the Packers with only Jones and Patrick Taylor to face the Bears. For the No. 3 back, the choice was activate Wilson – which will require a corresponding roster move when announced on Saturday – or elevate veteran Kenyan Drake from the practice squad.

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In seven games, Wilson rushed 14 times for 85 yards (6.1 average) with a long run of 31 yards and caught 4-of-5 passes for 23 yards.

The undrafted free agent, who’s played only 36 snaps this season, would have had more opportunities if not for the shoulder injury sustained against the Chargers on Nov. 19.

Moments after Jones suffered a knee injury and was carted off the field in that game, Wilson was injured while stiff-arming a defender. He, too, was carted to the locker room.

“He was about to get a real opportunity where he was going to have to get a lot more playing time and a lot more carries,” coach Matt LaFleur said when he designated Wilson to return from injured reserve a couple weeks ago. “He’s got great juice.”

Wilson led the NFL in preseason rushing yards to beat out Taylor for a spot on the opening 53-man roster.

According to LaFleur, Wilson improved during his time on the sideline.

“I think he’s done a great job of staying mentally engaged and making sure there is no drop-off from a mental standpoint,” LaFleur said. “Matter of fact, I think he’s probably light-years ahead of where he was mentally in terms of just the things that are required of that position.”

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