Dec 3, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn’t interested in taxing one particular running back over another this season.
McCarthy said the demands of the position will require Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery to share the load in the backfield.
“The fact of the matter is we’re going to go running back by committee,” McCarthy told ESPN. “But if one of them would emerge as that full-time guy then you have to have that ability to … adjust to that.
“As far as planning and going into the season, that’s why we’re going about it that way. We feel like we’ve got three guys that have all done it, but they haven’t done it over a long period of time, so I think it’s just practical thinking from that position and realizing that it’s a very demanding position.”
Williams, who was a fourth-round pick, led the Packers with 556 rushing yards during his rookie year in 2017. Jones, who was a fifth-round selection in 2017, had 448 rushing yards and the versatile Montgomery had 273.
All three dealt with significant injuries last season, however.
“We’ve got young players that we really like that all played really well, but it’s been in short periods of time,” McCarthy said. “Ty Montgomery had a run there where he was outstanding. Jamaal has probably been the most available of the three, and Aaron has been so impactful when he’s been in there. I just think like anything, you project and you set a path.”
