Should I Start Kaleb Johnson?

Tuesday, November 10, 9:35 AM

The Green Bay Packers are happy with what they saw from running back Kaleb Johnson in Sunday's Week 9 win over the New England Patriots after offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said they challenged Johnson to "run hard, run angry," according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Stenavich also mentioned that Johnson showed improvement in pass protection. With Josh Jacobs fracturing his finger and MarShawn Lloyd (knee) being inactive on Sunday, Johnson played a season-high 39% of the offensive snaps and had a season-high 14 carries for 68 yards while scoring his first NFL touchdown in the 45-27 blowout win in New England. Jacobs is expected to miss multiple weeks and could land on Injured Reserve, so if Lloyd misses another game with his knee injury, the 23-year-old Johnson could lead Green Bay's backfield again in Week 10 against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. Johnson should certainly be a waiver-wire consideration this week with both Jacobs and Lloyd banged up, but even if he is the lead back this Sunday, he probably should not be considered much more than an RB3/flex in Week 10 against a stout Vikings defense.