The Green Bay Packers‘ running back room is in a tough spot this offseason, as the unit looks for a bounce-back campaign in 2026. Fourth-year running back Emanuel Wilson left the team just days into NFL free agency, inking a deal with the Seattle Seahawks, a loss that has forced Matt LaFleur‘s coaching staff to monitor the position closely.
The Packers’ offense is looking for its next reliable back behind Pro Bowl starter Josh Jacobs, who has tallied 2,258 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns over his first two seasons in Green Bay. Former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd was expected to step in as the team’s primary backup option in the run game, but injuries have hampered his performance during a crucial offseason.
Behind Lloyd, Damien Martinez is surging as a potential candidate to claim the RB2 job for the 2026 season. The seventh-round pick surprisingly led the team in carries over players like Lloyd, Pierre Strong Jr. and Jaden Nixon, racking up a team-high 20 rushing yards over eight touches in Green Bay’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Nixon, Martinez and Strong are in the throes of a position battle for the RB3 spot, a job that could feature a heavy workload considering Lloyd’s injury concerns.
Damien Martinez’s Rep Count In Preseason Serves As Good Sign For 53-Man Roster Case
Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Martinez’s pitch count in Week 1 of the preseason could be considered a reflection of his efforts during training camp. No member of the backfield has solidified a spot to this point in the offseason, with injuries and inconsistency building on an already difficult decision for LaFleur.
If Lloyd’s injury trends persist, there’s plenty of reason to believe he could find himself on the outside looking in for the backup job. Martinez, who has garnered positive attention throughout training camp, could be on the fast track to the RB2 spot if he continues to build on a strong showing.
Martinez is an incredibly physical runner with a notable ability to shed tackles at the second level. He’s got a durable frame at 6-foot, 217 pounds, with a motor that has shown through during valuable preseason reps.
Nixon is a solid prospect, but projects more as a prototypical third-down back in the NFL. On the other hand, Strong has plenty of regular-season experience, but hasn’t cemented his roster case as Green Bay’s staff might have hoped.
There’s plenty of reason for optimism in Martinez’s case to crack the 53-man and carve out a significant role in his second professional season.
