Analyst identifies Tony Pollard as a potential Packers trade target
Josh Jacobs came off the NFL commissioner’s exempt list on October 19, restoring his eligibility to practice and play. Green Bay has not confirmed whether he will play against Detroit on October 25, while Chris Brooks remains on injured reserve.
Bleacher Report analyst Kristopher Knox previously identified Tennessee running back Tony Pollard as a possible fit for the Packers. The suggestion does not establish that either team is pursuing a deal.
Josh Jacobs remains on the exempt list
The NFL placed Josh Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list on August 30, 2026. He subsequently pleaded no contest on September 10 to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.
Jacobs was removed from the list effective October 19, restoring his eligibility to practice and play. The NFL’s personal conduct investigation continues, and further discipline remains possible.
Pollard brings previous Pro Bowl experience
Pollard established himself as a productive NFL running back during his time with Dallas. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022, when he shared the Cowboys’ backfield with Ezekiel Elliott and contributed through both rushing attempts and receptions.
The Tennessee running back has also played for the Titans after leaving Dallas in free agency. His professional experience could appeal to Green Bay if the organization decides to pursue an established option rather than rely entirely on its current young running backs.
Green Bay already traded for Kaleb Johnson
The Packers addressed their running back depth on August 30 by acquiring Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Green Bay sent Pittsburgh a 2028 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for the young running back.
Johnson was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft after playing college football at Iowa. His arrival gave Green Bay another option while Jacobs remained unavailable, although the move did not immediately resolve the team’s questions about consistency and production at the position.
MarShawn Lloyd competes for a continued role
MarShawn Lloyd entered the 2026 season with an opportunity to help replace Josh Jacobs. The Packers’ 2024 third-round selection had appeared in just 1 regular-season game across his first 2 seasons because of injuries.
Jacobs’s removal from the exempt list changes the backfield picture. Lloyd can still compete for carries, with ball security, rushing efficiency and availability remaining important considerations.
Chris Brooks remains on injured reserve
Chris Brooks has contributed to Green Bay’s backfield as a ball carrier and pass protector. He suffered an ankle injury against Tampa Bay on October 4 and was placed on injured reserve on October 10, 2026.
The designation requires him to miss at least 4 games. Josh Jacobs’s eligibility was restored on October 19, giving Green Bay another potential option while Brooks remains sidelined.
Ball security becomes a concern
Green Bay’s running backs have faced scrutiny over ball security during the 2026 season. In October, Packers coach Matt LaFleur warned that players who continued fumbling could lose playing time, highlighting the importance of protecting possession.
That concern strengthens the case for considering a more experienced option if the current rotation continues to struggle. A potential acquisition would still need to fit Green Bay’s offensive system, and the team’s interest in Pollard remains a reported possibility rather than a confirmed transaction.
Interesting fact: Tony Pollard tied an FBS record with seven career kickoff-return touchdowns while playing college football at Memphis.
Tony Pollard could offer receiving ability
Pollard has contributed as a receiver throughout his NFL career, giving an acquiring team another way to use him beyond conventional rushing plays. That skill could help an offense create different looks on passing downs and provide its quarterback with another option underneath.
Green Bay’s interest in improving its backfield has prompted speculation about whether Pollard could fit the roster. Any potential move would depend on Tennessee’s willingness to trade him, Green Bay’s evaluation of the available options and the financial terms involved.
Interesting fact: Josh Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022 while playing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tennessee’s season adds to trade speculation
The Titans have also appeared in trade discussions surrounding Pollard as their 2026 season has developed. Reports have identified Tennessee as a possible seller, making Pollard a name to monitor ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Pollard is in a contract year, according to reporting on the proposed trade scenario. That timing could make a deal attractive to a team seeking short-term help, but Tennessee has not been confirmed to have agreed to trade him to Green Bay or another franchise.
The Packers have already adjusted their roster
Green Bay acquired Kaleb Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 30, 2026, sending a 2028 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for the running back. The move added depth after Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
The Packers have had to manage their backfield responsibilities among the available running backs, including MarShawn Lloyd and Johnson. Chris Brooks was placed on injured reserve on October 10, leaving the team to consider its remaining options as it evaluates whether additional help is needed.
Jacobs’ legal situation remains unresolved for the NFL
Jacobs’ availability depends partly on the NFL’s review following his no-contest pleas in September. The league has sought access to video evidence related to the incident, while legal proceedings over the release of records have continued.
On October 15, Reuters reported that Jacobs filed a civil lawsuit seeking to prevent the release of surveillance footage and related documents. The NFL’s disciplinary process remains separate from the court proceedings, and Green Bay has not received a confirmed timetable for Jacobs’ return.
The trade deadline could shape Green Bay’s decision
The NFL trade deadline is an important date for teams considering midseason roster changes. Green Bay could evaluate its running back production and Jacobs’ status before deciding whether to pursue additional help.
A report published October 14 identified Pollard as a possible target and discussed a conditional 2027 fifth-round pick as a proposed trade price. That was an analyst’s suggested framework, not an agreed offer, and no completed transaction involving Pollard and Green Bay had been reported in the cited coverage.
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Green Bay reassesses its backfield options
Josh Jacobs is eligible to practice and play after coming off the commissioner’s exempt list on October 19. His availability for the Detroit game remains undecided, while the NFL continues its investigation.
MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson remain backfield options, and Chris Brooks is on injured reserve. Tony Pollard has been suggested as a possible addition by an outside analyst, but no Packers acquisition has been announced.
Do you think Green Bay should pursue Pollard or rely on its current running backs? Share your thoughts in the comments.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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