GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers running back Josh Jacobs needs surgery on the fractured ring finger on his right hand, and coach Matt LaFleur wouldn't rule out the possibility Monday that Jacobs would have to be placed on injured reserve.
If Jacobs is placed on IR, he would miss at least four games.
LaFleur said playing through the injury wasn't an option for Jacobs.
"I don't think he could," LaFleur said. "He tried last night. He tried to go back in, and he had no grip strength."
Jacobs twice went to the locker room during the Packers' 45-27 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday to see whether something could be done to protect his hand while still playing. At first, the Packers' medical staff tried to tape it, but when they didn't feel comfortable with that, they tried a cast.
Jacobs sustained the injury in the first quarter when his hand got caught in the helmet of New England defensive back Craig Woodson. Jacobs was trying to stiff-arm Woodson near the sideline at the end of a run.
The Packers (6-3) play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, followed by their bye in Week 11, a Week 12 game at the Los Angeles Rams on Thanksgiving eve, a Week 13 game at the New Orleans Saints and a Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills.
"As far as how long he'll be out, I think that's to be determined," LaFleur said.
After the game, Jacobs said he saw part of his bone sticking out, although he did not say whether it punctured the skin. He said he popped his finger back into place on his own.
"It looked nasty," Jacobs said. "[Looks] a lot better now than what it did, but we'll see. We'll see how it goes."
Jacobs already missed the first six games of the season while on the NFL's commissioner exempt list, and the league continues to investigate him for possible violations of the personal conduct policy after his May 23 arrest in an incident with a woman at his home near Green Bay and allegations of physical and verbal abuse by three other women. The Packers have continued to support Jacobs throughout the process.
In three games since coming off the commissioner exempt list, Jacobs has carried 36 times for 80 yards (a 2.2-yard average) and one touchdown. He has been more effective as a receiver out of the backfield with 11 catches for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
The Packers also played Sunday without running back MarShawn Lloyd, who sustained a knee injury in practice last week.
Without Jacobs and Lloyd, the Packers relied on Kaleb Johnson and Pierre Strong Jr. against the Patriots. Johnson ran for 68 yards on 14 carries, the highest single-game rushing total by a Packers running back this season. He also had the longest single rushing play for the Packers this season, a 34-yard gain in the fourth quarter. The Packers totaled 129 yards rushing, marking the first time they have rushed for more than 86 yards in a game this season. They still have the NFL's lowest-ranked rushing offense.
Nevertheless, LaFleur said the Packers might not have to add a running back because Chris Brooks could return this week. Brooks was designated to return off injured reserve last week and practiced for the first time since his Week 4 ankle injury.
The Packers also were thin at linebacker Sunday. Already without Edgerrin Cooper (Achilles) and Zaire Franklin (shin), the Packers lost Ty'Ron Hopper early in the game because of a chest injury, and Isaiah McDuffie had to come off the field for a couple of plays. LaFleur said Hopper's chest was first bothering him during pregame warmups. However, he said he does not think Hopper will miss any additional time.
The Packers were down to their No. 5 linebacker, Nick Niemann, on Sunday. Before Sunday's game, Niemann had played just two snaps on defense since joining the Packers at the start of last season. LaFleur praised Niemann, who finished with six tackles and a pass breakup while also maintaining his regular role on special teams. While Cooper was lost of the season, Franklin is expected to return soon.