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Matt LaFleur's plans for Packers AJ Dillon scrapped after neck injury

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GREEN BAY — Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he had plans to use running back AJ Dillon differently this year, but he had to abandon those plans after Dillon was placed on the injured list, ending his season.

Dillon suffered a stab wound to his neck during a practice with the Denver Broncos on August 16, and the Packers did not want to send Dillon back to the field after further tests.

General manager Brian Gutekunst expressed hope that Dillon would receive good news as test results are pending, but said the team was not willing to put Dillon at risk, especially given that this was his second serious nerve injury in less than a year.

If Dillon is eligible to play, he can negotiate compensation for his injury with the Packers and become a free agent. He could return to the Packers later in the year if a deal is reached, but it doesn't look like the Packers will take any chances on him this season.

“It's daunting because we had a pretty clear idea of ​​what he could do,” LaFleur said. “It wasn't just a runner. His versatility was what excited me the most, just the ability to do so many different things compared to some of the things we did with him a year ago when we had some of our two-halfback sets.”

“It definitely leaves a hole in our lives. But that's life in the National Football League. You adapt or die, so we better adapt.”

One option the Packers could soon consider for that role is rookie MarShawn Lloyd, who has been out since a hamstring injury suffered against Cleveland on Aug. 10. The Packers have not placed him on the injured list, meaning he is close to returning to practice.

However, it is uncertain whether he will be available for the season opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“We'll see where he's at,” LaFleur said. “We haven't practiced in a couple days. We'll get him out today and see where he's at, walk around. He's handling most of the plays. It's not that he hasn't learned anything. It's just about taking that from the classroom and applying it in a real game situation. You wish you had a little more experience.”

LaFleur said he would not hesitate to bring either Ellis Merriweather or Nate McCrary from the practice squad to replace Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson.

Here are some other points LaFleur raised:

Packers will try to get used to a schedule with night games

After a light workout on Wednesday, LaFleur will conduct a more extensive workout at Lambeau Field on Thursday evening.

The idea behind the night practice is to get the team used to a night game routine. Only one of the Packers' three preseason games has been played at night, and the opening game in São Paulo, Brazil, doesn't start until 9:15 p.m. local time.

“We're going to step it up and train under the lights and try to replicate the feel of playing in Brazil, as far as the time, getting up early in the morning, the meetings,” LaFleur said. “And then we'll let them out here for a bit and train.”

According to the collective bargaining agreement, players must have the weekend off between the last preseason game and the first game of the regular season. Players have Friday and Saturday off, and Sunday is then like a Wednesday, the first big practice day of a normal week.

The Packers leave for São Paulo on Wednesday and will complete a walk-through on Thursday.

Bo Melton and Malik Heath made it difficult for Grant DuBose to secure a place in the squad

After being released on Tuesday, receiver Grant DuBose was placed on waivers by the Miami Dolphins, meaning he will begin the season on their 53-man roster.

The Packers thought DuBose was good enough for their roster, but two of the guys ahead of him performed too well and will take up the only available playing time.

Both Bo Melton and Malik Heath proved to be valuable receivers and special teams players last season and refused to give an inch during training camp.

“You can't take that for granted,” LaFleur said. “In this league, it's about: What have you done for me lately? You have to work hard and grind to keep your spot. It's a competitive situation. Some positions are a little more competitive than others, just because of the players on our roster.”

LaFleur said he couldn't have asked for much more from DuBose.

“He's just a really tough, competitive guy,” he said. “We'll certainly miss him, but I'm happy for him that he's getting a chance somewhere else.”

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