Matt LaFleur is getting a shiny new toy out of the Packers’ bye

The Green Bay Packers offense is about to get even more dangerous thanks to some reinforcements coming off the bye week. Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd was activated off injured reserveopens its 21-day training window.

Thanks to the Packers dealing Preston Smith before the trade deadline, they have an open roster spot that could be Lloyd’s if they choose.

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

And while they don’t exactly need a fourth running back, Lloyd not only takes the burden off Jacobs as the bell cow, but Lloyd is the perfect change-of-pace option 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 at the latest in the affected start to his NFL career. Lloyd also dealt with a hip injury and a hamstring injury in the preseason. The Packers are eager to get him back in the lineup, not just for depth reasons. He could be a dynamic piece to the offense that coach Matt LeFleur should have no problem using to their advantage.

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

Although he has had some injuries throughout his career, according to his draft profile, he is the type of back who should go well with Jacobs. Think of it as thunder and lightning.

LeFleur must be excited to get Lloyd back healthy so he can find ways to deploy him. Consider what division rival Detroit is doing David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. That could be, to some extent, what the Packers are trying to do with Jacobs and Lloyd.

I’m sure the Packers will ease him into the lineup with his injury history, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they use the entire 21-day period to acclimate Lloyd before activating him to the 53-man roster.

But once he’s in the lineup, I can see the Packers trying to use the two similar to how the Lions are using their dynamic back together. People questioned why the Lions signed Montgomery and then drafted Gibbs. Now we see why it was important for them to have both on the roster. LeFleur and his offensive savvy staff need to look at it and be excited about the potential.