Green Bay Packers running back lost for the season

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LOOK Winter wonderland scene at Lambeau Field for Green Bay Packers Seattle Seahawks — Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers received some terrible news on Friday morning.

Running back Kylin Hill is out for the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals. The gruesome injury happened on a kickoff return collision with running back Jonathan Ward, and both players were carted off the field.

Ward was being evaluated for a concussion and neck injury.

The rookie out of Mississippi State served as the third-string running back behind Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon this season. The seventh-round selection had 10 carries for 24 yards.

While in Starkville, Hill was one of the most productive running backs in school history. He was first-team All-SEC in 2019 as a junior after rushing for 1,350 yards, fourth in the Mississippi State record books. Hill was the only running back in the SEC to average more than 100 yards per game that season. Additionally, the shifty 5-foot-10 back was the first Bulldog running back taken in the NFL Draft since 1964.

Green Bay run game showing improvement as season progresses

After a dismal opening offensive performance against the New Orleans Saints, the Packers run game has shown improvement almost every week. They have now posted more than 130 yards on the ground in four of their last five games.

Green Bay’s next two games are against two of the worst run defenses in the NFL; the Kansas City Chiefs are allowing 128.9 rush yards per game (27th in the league), and the Seattle Seahawks are allowing 134.1 rush yards per game (30th in the league).

Presumably, wide receivers Allen Lazard and Davante Adams will be out of COVID-19 protocol and able to play in both contests, but should there be a hold up, Jones and Dillon will have to step up as they did against Arizona.

Jones had 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, and Dillon led the team with 16 carries for 78 yards. Jones, also a threat in the passing game, added seven catches for 51 yards.

The Packers now have the top record in the NFL, as both Green Bay and Arizona are 7-1. Obviously, Green Bay holds the tiebreaker.

Their Nov. 7 game in Kansas City kicks off at 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox. The Chiefs are a 2.5-point favorite as of Friday morning despite a 3-4 record and 1-2 record at Arrowhead Stadium.