Packers RB Josh Jacobs Needs Finger Surgery, IR Possible

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs needs surgery for a fractured right ring finger, coach Matt LaFleur said Monday, leaving his recovery timetable uncertain as the team considers whether to place him on injured reserve.

Jacobs was injured in the first quarter of Green Bay’s 45-27 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. His finger was caught during a rushing attempt involving Patriots safety Craig Woodson. Jacobs left after four carries for five yards and did not return.

LaFleur said Jacobs cannot play through the injury and did not give a timeframe for his recovery. He also did not rule out injured reserve, which would require Jacobs to miss at least four games. A separate report, citing CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz, said Jacobs was expected to miss no more than three weeks. Another report said the Packers did not currently plan to place him on short-term injured reserve.

Those accounts leave Jacobs’ expected absence unresolved. The team has not publicly established a recovery duration in LaFleur’s comments, while the three-week estimate and report about the team’s plans were attributed to other reporting. An injured-reserve decision would carry a minimum...