The Green Bay Packers had their backfield at full strength for the first time since the start of 2025 training camp when they took the field for Sunday’s practice.
According to the NFL’s official transaction wire, the Packers activated undrafted rookie running back Amar Johnson (hamstring) on Sunday from the active/non-football injury list after he passed his physical, allowing him to practice for the first time this camp.
With Johnson back in the mix, the Packers will have all seven of their running backs healthy for Monday’s first padded practice of camp. Johnson will have opportunities to compete for the No. 3 role in the 2025 rotation behind superstar veteran Josh Jacobs and presumptive change-of-pace back MarShawn Lloyd, a 2024 third-round draft pick.
Amar Johnson Faces Tough Competition for RB Role
Johnson brings a little spark to the Packers’ backfield competition as a quick runner with above-average athleticism and a quality frame (5-foot-10, 205 pounds).
At South Dakota State, Johnson got progressively better in each of his four seasons. He took 193 carries for 1,222 yards and 14 touchdowns — all career highs — in 15 games for the Jackrabbits in 2024, finishing 16th in the FCS in rushing yards and tied for 15th in rushing touchdowns. He also made 30 receptions for 233 yards and one touchdown.
A productive college career won’t help him in his pursuit of an NFL roster spot, though.
Johnson will have significant competition for the No. 3 role. Chris Brooks, a third-year back, is also vying for a roster role after appearing in 15 games and rushing for 183 yards and his first career touchdown in 2024 with the Packers. The team also recently claimed Israel Abanikanda, a 2023 fifth-round pick, off waivers from San Francisco.
Then again, they might all be fighting for a place on the practice squad if none of them can outperform Emanuel Wilson following his strong showing for the Packers in 2024.
Can Any Packers RBs Bump Emanuel Wilson After 2024?
The Packers will allow all of their running backs to compete for spots in the rotation, to a degree, but the success Wilson found for the offense in 2024 buys him some security.
Wilson — who made the Packers’ 2023 roster as an undrafted rookie — took advantage of the additional reps that came his way in 2024 when Lloyd missed time with injuries. Wilson plugged in as the No. 2 rushing option behind Jacobs and rushed 103 times for 502 rushing yards and four touchdowns, adding 48 yards and a score on 11 receptions.
As a result, Wilson is in a much more secure spot than the other roster-hopeful backs, even though the Packers will expectably insert the now-healthy Lloyd back into the lineup as their No. 2 back in 2025. Wilson must still show the Packers that he is ready to take another step forward in his development. But so long as he is, it will be difficult for any of the other running backs on their roster to compete for a 53-man roster spot.
Packers Have 3 Players Left on Injury Lists at Camp
With Johnson activated, the Packers had just three players left on injury lists coming out of their Sunday practice — with plans to activate another one Monday morning.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters before Monday’s fifth camp practice that the team will activate veteran center/guard Elgton Jenkins off the NFI list and will give him some individual work that will serve to ramp him up for the full-time action.
Once Jenkins is activated, the Packers will have just two players left on their physically unable to perform (PUP) list at camp: fifth-round rookie defensive end Collin Oliver (undisclosed) and seventh-round rookie offensive tackle John Williams (undisclosed).
Packers Activate RB From Injury List Amid Ongoing Roster Battle