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Matt LaFleur says Kylin Hill is locked in, ready for bigger role

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax11/09/22

BarkleyTruax

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Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Packers’ running back room might be a little thin on Sunday when Green Bay hosts the Dallas Cowboys.

Aaron Jones, who is nursing an ankle injury, is questionable as of Wednesday, and the recently activated Kylin Hill is going to be someone head coach Matt LaFleur believes could be poised for a breakout performance if the Packers’ All Pro running back isn’t ready to go.

“He’s been locked in. I thought he had a nice run the other day. I thought it was good to get that first carry out of the way,” LaFleur said. “We’ll get a good look at him throughout the week at practice.”

Hill suffered an ACL tear during Week 8 of last season and began training camp on the PUP list for Green Bay. The former Mississippi State standout has been recovering all season and was allowed on the practice field for the first time this season on Nov. 2.

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The former seventh-round draft pick out of Mississippi State rushed for 10 times as a rookie for 24 yards, but made a much bigger impact as a kick returner. Hill returned 10 kickoffs for 199 yards in the eight games he appeared in before injury, but expect that role to expand in a big way if Jones is unable to suit up.

In four seasons at Mississippi State, Hill rushed for 2,535 career rushing yards on 5.6 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns. He added 631 receiving yards and six more scores through the air as well before being drafted by the Packers in the final round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Packers and Cowboys kickoff this Sunday live from Green Bay at 4:25 p.m. ET as Hill looks to prove his worth in the backfield amid the Packers’ five-game losing streak.