The Green Bay Packers placed running back Chris Brooks on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list on Monday, July 27, the first day of training camp for most NFL teams. The Packers confirmed that Brooks suffered an injury outside of football activities, which is why he was designated to the NFI list. The team has not disclosed the nature of the injury or provided a projected timeline for his return, which is customary under NFI protocols.
While Brooks' absence is not a franchise-altering development, it carries notable implications for the Packers' running back depth chart and roster competition as camp starts.
Brooks' Role and Impact
Last season, Brooks appeared in all 17 games and contributed primarily as a reserve running back and special teams player. His 2025 stat line includes 27 carries for 106 yards and 13 receptions for 91 yards, without scoring a touchdown. Though these numbers do not leap off the page, Brooks was valued for his reliability in pass protection and special teams play, earning trust from the coaching staff beyond just his ball-carrier contributions.
Losing Brooks at camp opening means the Packers now face a vacancy in their experienced reserve running back pool. The depth chart must adjust to his absence immediately.
Depth Chart After Brooks' NFI Listing
Green Bay's current running back roster features the following players: Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr., Jaden Nixon, Damien Martinez, and Chris Brooks (now on NFI). With Brooks sidelined, the competition intensifies among the remaining backs.
Josh Jacobs remains the established starter and centerpiece of the offense. The 8th-year veteran posted impressive numbers in 2025 with 929 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, and 36 receptions for 282 yards, confirming his elite dual-threat ability. Given his high mileage, the coaching staff will likely manage Jacobs' workload carefully through preseason games. The true backup will have substantial value as Jacobs' handcuff during the regular season.
MarShawn Lloyd, a third-year player drafted in the third round of 2024, is seen as the most naturally talented pure runner behind Jacobs. Although his rookie season was marred by injury and inconsistent opportunity, his speed and elusiveness are evident. Still, questions around his pass protection and overall reliability have hindered prior trust. This upcoming training camp is a critical opportunity for Lloyd to prove he can assume a dependable No. 2 role.
Pierre Strong Jr. has carved out a niche as a speed element with 54 career carries over four years but has yet to earn consistent trust to handle more than spot duty. He is likely viewed as a practice squad or depth option.
Jaden Nixon is an undrafted free agent who has yet to make his NFL debut. He is competing for a roster spot but currently has no proven role.
Damien Martinez, the 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 223 overall), stands as the emerging name to watch. The 6-foot, 232-pound back brought a collegiate résumé featuring over 1,000 rushing yards combined at Oregon State and Miami before declaring for the draft. Martinez's strengths lie in his physicality, endurance, and ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact--traits that align with the type of between-the-tackles back Green Bay desires as a change-of-pace and short-yardage complement to Jacobs.
Why Damien Martinez Could Leapfrog Lloyd
Though Lloyd's talent and explosiveness as a receiver are superior, Martinez's ability to meet the Packers' specific needs in pass protection, blitz pickup, and short-yardage situations offers him a notable advantage in earning the No. 2 spot. The coaching staff prioritizes trust and reliability in these facets for their backup running back in Matt LaFleur's offense.
It is reasonable to project that Martinez will surpass Lloyd on the depth chart by the third week of preseason games, provided he performs well in practice and game reps.
Fantasy Football and Daily Fantasy Sports Implications
From a fantasy standpoint, Josh Jacobs remains a high-end RB2 with upside for RB1 production due to both workload and goal-line opportunities. His 13 rushing touchdowns in 2025 affirm LaFleur's historical pattern of feeding workhorse backs near the goal line.
Chris Brooks being placed on NFI does not alter Jacobs' outlook but sharpens focus on who might serve as the handcuff--a critical fantasy role should Jacobs miss time.
Damien Martinez represents a low-cost, high-upside stash in dynasty leagues, best-ball formats, or deep PPR leagues. His potential to handle 8 to 12 carries per game as Jacobs' backup makes him attractive late in drafts or on waiver wires.
MarShawn Lloyd's fantasy value hinges on him winning and holding the backup role early in camp. If he fails to secure this position, he is likely to be cut or relegated to the practice squad.
Broader Roster and Cap Considerations
The Packers currently have approximately $23.36 million in salary cap space, providing ample flexibility to carry multiple running backs if needed. Special teams value factors heavily into roster decisions; Brooks played 127 special teams snaps last season, Strong 94, Lloyd 42, and Martinez none as a rookie.
If Brooks' absence persists into the regular season, the Packers may look to Nixon or Strong as fourth-back candidates who contribute on special teams, allowing Martinez to focus solely on his offensive role.
A probable scenario is a three-back regular season roster featuring Jacobs, Martinez, and either Strong or a waiver-wire addition. Lloyd might be placed on the practice squad unless he distinguishes himself as considerably superior in camp.
Conclusion
Chris Brooks' placement on the NFI list is a minor transaction with outsized implications. It accelerates Damien Martinez's opportunity to secure the No. 2 running back role behind Josh Jacobs, turning what was already a competitive position group battle into a more defined contest.
MarShawn Lloyd faces a critical camp to save his roster spot from a rookie built precisely for the role that Brooks vacated.
For now, Jacobs remains the undisputed starter and workhorse; everything else behind him is a high-stakes audition. Damien Martinez has been handed a major chance to claim significant responsibility before the 2026 season's pads even come on.
Packers fans and fantasy managers should watch closely as the backfield shakeup unfolds over training camp. The door opened for Martinez on July 27--and the question is whether he will seize the role ahead of the season kickoff.
