Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon did not practice on Thursday as he gauges whether he can play with a broken right thumb.
Dillon said he suffered the injury on the final drive of the Packers’ loss to the New York Giants on Monday night.
“Got hit with a helmet lined up the right way,” Dillon told reporters. “Hit just right enough. And then we called another run play after that.”
Asked if a running back playing with a broken thumb would have a negative impact on ball security, Dillon said, “That’s a great question. Something I’m trying to figure out.”
Dillon took 15 carries for 53 yards and caught two passes for another 25 yards in the 24-22 defeat. He has served as Green Bay’s No. 1 running back since Aaron Jones sustained a knee injury Nov. 19 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Jones, who has since returned to practice, said Thursday he is “feeling a lot better” and confident he’ll be able to play Sunday against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If neither Dillon nor Jones can go, Patrick Taylor rises to RB1.
Dillon has carried the ball 164 times for 574 yards and one touchdown over 13 games (six starts) this season. He’s added 22 receptions for 223 yards. He has 2,389 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns (15 rushing, two receiving) in four seasons as Jones’ backup in Green Bay.
The Packers also expect wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) to miss his second straight game. Watson missed practice Thursday.
