Josh Jacobs’ return for the Packers this week against the Vikings could be closer than anyone expects, and it might change everything.QQ

QB Jordan Love’s left shoulder “definitely sore,” among other injury updates

GREEN BAY – Packers running back Josh Jacobs will not go on injured reserve due to his knee injury and “potentially” could be available this week against the Vikings.

Head Coach Matt LaFleur gave the update on Jacobs’ health Monday, saying the Pro Bowl back sustained a contusion to his knee when it slammed into the MetLife Stadium turf as he was tackled on a goal-line run. Jacobs didn’t return to the game, having rushed seven times for 40 yards in the 27-20 win over the Giants.

“It’s just more or less trying to get the swelling down,” LaFleur said of Jacobs’ knee. “Unfortunately, that’s a pretty hard surface over there, and sometimes (that’s) the byproduct of that.”

Jacobs was replaced in the game by Emanuel Wilson, with Chris Brooks backing him up. LaFleur lauded both for “owning their roles” and contributing, which for Wilson was 11 carries for 40 yards and a TD.

Meanwhile Brooks had just one carry but it was meaningful, as he gained eight yards on the first snap after QB Jordan Love exited to get his injured left shoulder examined. Brooks’ run turned a second-and-16 into a third-and-8, which backup QB Malik Willis then converted on the Packers’ first touchdown drive of the game.

More important, Brooks executed an impressive and important rep in pass protection in the fourth quarter, picking up a blitzing linebacker and blocking him for several seconds as Love found rookie receiver Savion Williams downfield for a 33-yard gain on third-and-10. That led to the go-ahead touchdown with four minutes left.

“That’s one thing you can always count on with Chris Brooks, man,” LaFleur said of Brooks’ pass protection. “He’s going to do his job, and he is going to strain while doing it. It always starts with a desire, first and foremost.”

As for Love, LaFleur said he’s “doing good” but is “definitely sore” from the hit he took to his left shoulder on a first-quarter scramble. Willis replaced Love for seven snaps, finishing the scoring drive, and then Love returned on the next series.

While LaFleur regretted his QB taking that hit and wished he’d avoided it, he praised Love’s gutty performance both physically and mentally, which saw him put up a triple-digit passer rating (105.2) with two TD passes despite the injury and several drops by his receivers.

“I thought he played his (butt) off yesterday,” LaFleur said. “I really did. I thought he was throwing accurately. He showed a ton of toughness in the pocket.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, kicker Brandon McManus is considered day to day with his quad injury, which has forced him to miss a total of three games now after it was reaggravated this past week.

Receiver Matthew Golden played through a shoulder injury, while linebacker Quay Walker left the game with a shoulder stinger. LaFleur said he’d have a better feel for their statuses on Wednesday when the team returns to the practice field.

Also, he mentioned the possibility of practice windows opening for receiver Jayden Reed and running back MarShawn Lloyd, who are both currently on IR.

Reed has been out since Week 2, when he broke his collarbone and underwent surgery for that as well as a foot injury from training camp. Lloyd has been out since sustaining a groin injury in an August preseason game at Indianapolis.

At 6-3-1 and sandwiched between the first-place Bears (7-3) and third-place Lions (6-4) in the division, the Packers are entering the most pivotal stretch of their season, with five of their seven remaining games against NFC North opponents.

That starts with a run of three straight division games – at home vs. Minnesota, at Detroit on Thanksgiving, and back at home vs. Chicago.

“Obviously the divisional games are absolutely critical and you talk about this three-game stretch, but really all that matters is this one game for us right now,” LaFleur said of the Week 12 Vikings contest. “Shoot, they put it on us twice last year, so our guys will be motivated. They’ll be ready to roll.”