GREEN BAY – It was the Josh Jacobs show for most of the Packers' 30-27 win over Jacksonville last Sunday.
The former All-Pro running back plowed through the Jaguars' defense on his way to 127 yards on 25 carries. Jacobs broke tackles, pushed piles and scored two touchdowns while battling through an ankle injury he sustained earlier in the contest.
Finally, after a 3-yard run to the Jaguars' 12-yard line with a minute remaining, Green Bay's coaching staff called Jacobs to the sideline and summoned Chris Brooks to finish the job.
It was the ultimate sign of trust in a reserve running back who started the regular season on the practice squad before receiving a call-up to the 53-man roster in Week 3.
Brooks did what was asked, running the "Rolex" play to perfection and going down after a 9-yard run to the Jaguars' 3. It allowed Green Bay to run down the clock and send in kicker Brandon McManus for a game-winning 24-yard field goal as time expired.
"He's a selfless man," Jacobs said. "He's on special teams. He's on everything. You can't really say enough positive things about a guy like that who's willing to put his body on the line. He has a lot of respect in this locker room."
Brooks, 24, has been the latest in a series of key in-season acquisitions the Packers have made over the years, particularly in the backfield.
In 2012, DuJuan Harris came out of nowhere to buoy a Packers playoff run. Six years later, Tyler Ervin was claimed off waivers from Houston to assist Matt LaFleur's offense during his first season as head coach and offensive play-caller.
Like Harris and Ervin, Brooks' first NFL stop wasn't Green Bay. He split his college career between Cal and BYU before signing with Miami last year as a college free agent. He made the Dolphins' initial 53 and played in nine games as a rookie, registering 106 rushing yards on 19 carries.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound running back's bid to again make Miami's roster was derailed when he sustained a concussion during the Dolphins' second preseason game. He signed to Green Bay's practice squad after reaching an injury settlement with Miami and made a fast first impression on the Packers' coaches.
"He is the definition of a professional," offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. "Everything he does is super intentional. I don't know if I've ever seen him laugh or smile the whole time he's been here. It's just all business, serious kid, which is great. He's hungry, he wants to make a name for himself, and I think every week he gets out there he gets a little bit better and a little bit better."
Brooks also had a well-established fan in Packers linebackers coach/running game coordinator Anthony Campanile, who shared a sideline with Brooks last year in Miami.
Every time his linebackers went against the Dolphins' running backs during individual periods, Campanile knew his guys were in for good work whenever Brooks was lined up on the other side.
"I think he's a really good player. He's a great person," Campanile said. "Anytime you get a great person in your locker room, you're excited about that (guy) who brings the right stuff. He's a competitive guy. I think he's got a lot of upside. He's a violent runner. I think he's good in protection. I think he's kind of a complete player and a team guy."
On top of his 40 rushing yards on 11 carries, Brooks has proven to be reliable in pass protection while also flashing his hands out of the backfield. That combo earned Brooks a spot in Green Bay's two-RB package with Jacobs and his role has grown from there.
Brooks' stonewalling of blitzing linebackers didn't happen overnight. It's something he's worked at throughout his football career. Whether he's blocking for Jordan Love, Jaren Hall or his high school football team, Brooks' objective is to keep his guy safe.
"It all comes down to technique, fundamentals," Brooks said. "I think it's super important to keep whatever QB is in there clean at all times. That just makes the offense go."
Jacobs didn't practice on Wednesday but was back for Thursday's padded work. When asked about his status for Sunday's game against Detroit, Jacobs told reporters at his locker on Wednesday, "I'll be good gametime."
Green Bay has confidence in its backfield, though. Both Brooks and second-year running back Emanuel Wilson have not only helped spell Jacobs but also overcome the loss of the loss of veteran AJ Dillon (neck) and rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd (ankle).
While Jacobs personifies a bell-cow running back, he'll be the first to say the young players behind him also can get the job done.
"I mean, we are deep," Jacobs said. "Really from (No.) 1 to 4, I think all the guys in our room can go. All the guys in our room have that capability of breaking a big one and making electric plays."
