Matt LaFleur will soon have a shiny new toy following the Packers’ bye

The Green Bay Packers’ offense is becoming even more dangerous thanks to some reinforcements from the bye week. Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd was activated from injured reserve and opened his 21-day practice window.

Thanks to the Packers trading Preston Smith before the trade deadline, they have a vacant roster spot that could be Lloyd’s if they so choose.

The way this season is going, the Packers don’t necessarily need another running back. Josh Jacobs was on a roll as one of the NFL’s top rushers. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks have also been complementary backup options for Jacobs so far.

And while they don’t necessarily need a fourth running back, not only does Lloyd relieve pressure on Jacobs as the lead cow, but Lloyd is also the perfect relief out of the backfield if he can stay healthy the rest of the way.

He is coming off IR after suffering an ankle injury. It was the latest in the injury-plagued start to his NFL career. Lloyd also struggled with a hip injury and a hamstring injury during preseason. The Packers aren’t just looking to get him back in the lineup for depth reasons. He could be a dynamic piece on offense that coach Matt LeFleur should have no problem using to his advantage.

What makes Lloyd a great addition for the Packers is the fact that he is different from Josh Jacobs. While Jacobs is more of a downhill running back, Lloyd is the back who has the breakaway speed needed to make explosive plays possible.

Although he has suffered a few injuries throughout his career, his draft profile indicates he is the type of defenseman who should be a good fit with Jacobs. Think of it as thunder and lightning.

LeFleur must be excited that Lloyd is healthy again so he can find ways to make it happen. Consider what division rival Detroit is doing with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. In some ways, that could be what the Packers are trying to do with Jacobs and Lloyd.

I’m sure the Packers will want to fit him into the lineup more easily given his injury history, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they used the entire 21-day period to acclimate Lloyd before moving him to the 53-man roster -Activate squad.

But once he’s in the lineup, I can see the Packers looking to utilize the two of them, similar to how the Lions utilize their dynamic backs together. People asked why the Lions signed Montgomery and then drafted Gibbs. Now we see why it was important for them to have both of them in the squad. LeFleur and his offensive-minded staff need to look at this and get excited about the potential.