GREEN BAY – Arron Mosby worked toward this moment for more than a year.
After spending all last season on the Packers' practice squad, the second-year defensive lineman finally had his number called in the second quarter of Sunday's eventual 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Mosby responded by beating two-time All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell on a third-down rush to record his first sack, albeit shared with Rashan Gary, on just the fifth defensive snap of his NFL career to force the Lions' first punt of the game.
"Really just got my number called, went out there, just lined up, went speed to power, worked the outside edge and came free," Mosby said. "Really, it's a blessing. Finally, to have something that one day you can look back on and say you accomplished in the NFL."
Mosby entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, appearing in three games. The Packers claimed him off waivers during training camp the following summer and spent all 2023 having him learn how to play edge rusher in their scheme.
Mosby parlayed a strong finish to training camp this summer to earn a spot Green Bay's initial 53-man roster. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman had played almost exclusively on special teams until getting added to the third-down rotation against Detroit.
Nobody was happier to see him out there than Gary.
"He's been working, all the way from OTAs, preseason, all that," Gary said. "He made a couple big plays (vs. Baltimore in the preseason) and from that game he's flipped the switch.
"When you prepare like that and you get an opportunity like that, you don't get surprised when a guy gets going. That was good for him, though. Good for us."
Mosby isn't calling it a breakout, as that turned out to be the defense's only sack of Goff on Sunday and one of just four quarterback hits. It was a giant boost of confidence, though, for a 25-year-old pass rusher who could factor into Green Bay's plans moving forward.
"I wouldn't call it a breakthrough, but it's a start," Mosby said. "It's the start of something to go forward with."
Jacobs pushes through: Josh Jacobs said the ankle injury that caused him to be questionable on Sunday didn't present too many problems against the Lions.
The sixth-year running back looked like his usual self during a first half in which he rushed 10 times for 89 yards, including a 37-yard run on the first play of Green Bay's second series.
"The ankle wasn't too bad," Jacobs said. "I had one play where I kind of tweaked it a little bit. But I'll be all right."
The Lions' run of 24 straight points led to Jacobs only carrying the ball three times for six yards in the second half, but his 13 carries for 95 yards on the evening pushed his season total to 762 rushing yards on 158 carries (4.8 avg.).
It is the most by a Packers running back through nine games since Ahman Green in 2004 (864).
"He does what he always does," said left guard Jordan Morgan, who was making his first NFL start. "He touches that ball, he's going to get those yards and he's going to make plays for us. That's who he is."
A first for Wilson: Emanuel Wilson scored his first NFL rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, though the second-year running back wasn't really in the mood for celebrating.
The 2-yard TD came with 3 minutes, 52 seconds left in regulation and was Green Bay's first successful trip into the red zone in four chances.
"Jordan just called the call and then I just seen the hole on the backside and hit it," said Wilson, who finished with four carries for 28 yards. "It means a lot but me personally when I go out and celebrate, I just remain humble and then try to go out there and do it again."
Wilson scored his first NFL touchdown earlier this season on a 31-yard screen pass against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3.
'Playing ball': Lions safety Brian Branch was ejected in the second quarter following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers receiver Bo Melton.
In the pool report, NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell said the league felt it was a flagrant foul because Branch "had the time and space to make a different choice" and "avoid the head and neck area."
Asked about the play after the game, Melton said he had no hard feelings against Branch.
"He was playing ball. I'm all good, so it is what it is," Melton said. "He was playing ball, and he hit me when I was in the air, so it is what it is."
Melton was allowed to stay in the game after going to the blue medical tent. He later caught a 19-yard pass in the fourth quarter.
"They were concerned, that's why I had to go in the tent," Melton said. "But I was good anyway. I got right up afterwards. They just wanted to see what happened. I didn't know at first who hit me, so that's why I got up and was looking for who (hit me). But everything is good, though."
Happy birthday, Tucker: The Packers dialed up another direct snap for tight end Tucker Kraft, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Sunday.
On Green Bay's opening possession, Kraft stopped under center after coming on a pre-snap motion and successfully lunged forward two yards to convert on fourth-and-1 from the Detroit 44.
The play came after Kraft previously converted on third-and-1 last month against Arizona.
"Yeah, seems to be a fan favorite," Kraft said. "I try to keep it 100% efficiency."
Ready for the bye: Both physically and mentally, the Packers are looking forward to their Week 10 bye.
In addition to quarterback Jordan Love playing through a groin injury, Green Bay was without cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee), safety Evan Williams (hamstring) and center Josh Myers (wrist).
"We definitely need to get some guys healthy," said Kraft, who's worn a red non-contact jersey in practice most of the season due to a shoulder issue. "Playing through a lot of knick-knacks, so we're going to get this time off and we're going to come back and we're going to be an efficient football team."
