Green Bay figures to use more run-pass option plays with Jordan Love, something that benefits Dillon because he's been just as efficient in that scheme as in traditional ones. Dillon also posted better metrics with Love in a small sample size versus Rodgers, including a full yard higher on his rushing average. Unfortunately, Love has not displayed a consistent tendency to throw to his running backs going back to his college days, and his mobility does suggest he'll steal a few short-yardage scores from Dillon. Those will sting since goal-line touchdowns are usually Dillon's thing. Ultimately, the Packers offense simply doesn't figure to be as good, which caps Dillon's upside but might not keep him from delivering the same 9.9 PPR points per game he had in 2022. Fantasy managers could consider him for Fantasy benches as soon as 80th overall.
Dillon was a huge disappointment in Week 2 at Atlanta with Aaron Jones (hamstring) out. Dillon had 15 carries for 55 yards and one catch for 8 yards on one target, and he's now struggled in consecutive weeks despite getting at least 15 total touches in each outing. We don't know if Jones will return in Week 3 against New Orleans, but I would only use Dillon as a flex in all leagues, even if he remains the starter. The Saints have yet to allow a running back to score in two games against Derrick Henry and Miles Sanders, and Dillon has been unimpressive so far to start the season.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Modest performance in loss
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Dillon rushed 15 times for 55 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Sunday's 25-24 loss to the Falcons.
Dillon started with Aaron Jones (hamstring) sidelined but only turned in a mediocre performance. The big-bodied tailback's long rush was for just eight yards and he made minimal contribution in the passing game. Along with averaging merely 2.6 yards per carry this season, Dillon has now gone six straight games without topping 4.0 yards per rush dating back to last season. He will likely return to his backup role if Jones is cleared to play in Week 3 versus the Saints.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Poised for lead role Sunday
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Dillon is slated to step in as the Packers' lead option out of the backfield Sunday against the Falcons with Aaron Jones (hamstring) listed as questionable for the contest but not expected to play, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.
After tweaking his hamstring on a 35-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the Packers' Week 1 win over the Bears, Jones failed to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday and is poised to sit out the Week 2 contest. Dillon worked behind Jones in the win in Chicago, mustering just 19 yards on 13 carries while adding two catches for 17 yards on three targets. Despite the poor showing against the Bears, Dillon has been a more respectable performer over his four-year career, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per reception. He should have a path to getting 15-plus touches Week 2, potentially making him a useful No. 2 running back or flex option for fantasy managers. Dillon could find more open running room in Atlanta than he did in Chicago since the Falcons will be without one of their top tacklers in middle linebacker Troy Andersen (concussion), who was been ruled out for Sunday's game.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Paces Packers in touches
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Dillon rushed 13 times for 19 yards and caught two of three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 38-20 win over the Bears.
Dillon led Green Bay in touches after running mate Aaron Jones exited during the third quarter with a tweaked hamstring. Despite his workload, Dillon failed to make much of an impact, with his contribution paling in comparison to Jones' 127 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 11 touches. Depending on Jones' status, Dillon could be promoted to the Packers' starting tailback position in Week 2 versus the Falcons.
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Packers' A.J. Dillon: Sleeper RBs
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Dillon is worth using as a flex option this week behind Aaron Jones, who is a must-start running back in all leagues. Dillon had one of his best games of the season in Week 13 at Chicago last year with 18 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 26 yards on three targets. It's doubtful he'll replicate those stats, but he could have an expanded role with Green Bay a little banged up at receiver with Christian Watson (hamstring) out. The Bears were also No. 2 in PPR points allowed to opposing running backs last year, and we'll see just how much Chicago's run defense has improved in 2023.
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Packers' A.J. Dillon: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Dillon is worth using as a flex option this week behind Aaron Jones, who is a must-start running back in all leagues. Dillon had one of his best games of the season in Week 13 at Chicago last year with 18 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 26 yards on three targets. It's doubtful he'll replicate those stats, but he could have an expanded role with Green Bay a little banged up at receiver with Romeo Doubs (hamstring) hurt. The Bears were also No. 2 in PPR points allowed to opposing running backs last year, and we'll see just how much Chicago's run defense has improved in 2023.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Gets five carries in tune-up
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Dillon took five carries for 24 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Seahawks.
The Packers played most of their healthy starters, with Dillon's backfield mate Aaron Jones being the glaring exception. Dillon opened the game with a 14-yard carry, later subbing out for Emanuel Wilson on the same drive. Dillon's final carry came on the first snap of the second quarter, shortly before QB Jordan Love found WR Christian Watson for a six-yard touchdown. Dillon is one of the better No. 2 backs in the league and should have a significant role behind Jones, per usual, when the Packers travel to Chicago in Week 1.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Gets feet wet with two carries
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Dillon rushed twice for 14 yards and wasn't targeted in Friday's 36-19 preseason win over the Bengals.
Dillon and Aaron Jones both mixed in with Green Bay's other staters on the team's first two drives. Both running backs are ticketed for prominent roles in 2023, as the Packers are likely to lean on the running game to take the pressure off quarterback Jordan Love, who has only one NFL start under his belt. Dillon has scored seven scrimmage touchdowns in each of the past two seasons.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Underwhelms in season finale
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Dillon rushed nine times for 33 yards and failed to reel in any of his three targets in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Lions.
The 24-year-old running back was in a near-even split in playing time with Aaron Jones, as the two backs played 33 and 31 of the Packers' 60 offensive snaps, respectively. Dillon will enter the final year of his rookie contract in the 2023, and with Jones already on the books, a timeshare arrangement between the two will likely remain in place for another season. Dillon finished the season with 770 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 28 catches for 206 yards.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: TD streak at five games
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Dillon carried the ball 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown and failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Vikings.
The power back was held under 50 rushing yards for the third straight game, but Dillon kept his fantasy value afloat by getting into the end zone for the fifth straight contest on a two-yard plunge early in the fourth quarter. The Packers need a win in Week 18 against the Lions to get into the playoffs, so look for Dillon and Aaron Jones to both be heavily involved in the game plan once again.
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Packers' A.J. Dillon: RBs to Start
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Aaron Jones (ankle) is playing hurt, and that has helped Dillon take off over the past month. He's scored at least 12 PPR points in four games in a row, including three games with at least 17 PPR points, and he has five touchdowns over that span. He also has 11 catches on 13 targets, and we hope Aaron Rodgers continues to rely on Dillon in the passing game. This week, he's taking on a Vikings defense that has allowed six running backs to score at least 11 PPR points in their past six games, with seven touchdowns over that span, and Dillon should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. I like him better than Jones given his injury.
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Packers' A.J. Dillon: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Dillon is still susceptible to getting beat out statistically by Aaron Jones, but he's been playing as much or more than Jones lately, and he's got the goal-line gig locked up. If you start Dillon, you're counting on him finding the end zone and adding at least 60 yards with it. In what should be a high-scoring game against Minnesota, that's definitely possible (if not beatable). Dillon will be in my lineup as a No. 2 running back ahead of Najee Harris, JK Dobbins and D'Onta Foreman.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Scores Christmas Day touchdown
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Dillon carried the ball 11 times for 36 yards and a touchdown and caught two of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Dolphins.
His one-yard TD plunge in the third quarter tied the game at 20-20, and the Packers' defense dominated the final frame to secure the win. Dillon led Green Bay in carries and rushing yards with Aaron Jones (ankle) hurting, so even though the big back didn't fully take advantage of the opportunity, he could be poised for an increased workload in a must-win Week 17 game against the Vikings if Jones isn't 100 percent.
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Packers' A.J. Dillon: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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It was encouraging that Dillon was able to avoid the concussion protocol after getting hurt in Week 15 against the Rams. And it's encouraging that Dillon is finishing the season strong after a disappointing start. He has at least 17 PPR points in three games in a row, and he scored four touchdowns over that span against the Eagles, Bears and Rams. He also has three catches in each of those outings on 10 targets, and it's nice to see him involved in the passing game. Aaron Jones remains the best running back for the Packers, but Dillon is finally performing like a solid running mate. In non-PPR leagues, Dillon should be considered a low-end starter, and he's a high-end flex in PPR against the Dolphins, who have allowed five total touchdowns to running backs in their past three games.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Avoids concussion protocol
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Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said after Monday's 24-12 win over the Rams that Dillon cleared the concussion protocol, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.
Prior to his departure in the second half of the Week 15 contest, Dillon scored two rushing touchdowns and hauled in all three targets for 35 yards, but he otherwise wasn't very efficient on the ground (11 carries for 36 yards). Meanwhile, Aaron Jones was again productive with 21 touches for 126 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown. With Dillon's health not an issue moving forward, the Packers will have their usual backfield duo available for Sunday's visit to Miami.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Possibly concussed after two TDs
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Dillon is being evaluated for a concussion Monday against the Rams.
Dillon's return can be considered questionable at this time. Prior to getting injured, he rushed 11 times for 36 yards and two touchdowns while catching all three of his targets for 35 yards. Aaron Jones should lead Green Bay's backfield for the remainder of Monday's game.
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Packers' A.J. Dillon: Sleeper RBs
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It's probably risky going back to Dillon in any capacity for Fantasy managers, but I don't mind him as a flex in deeper leagues against the Bears. The matchup is enticing since Chicago has allowed seven running backs to score or gain at least 100 total yards in the past five games, with eight touchdowns over that span. Aaron Jones should be a star for the Packers, but Dillon just had eight carries for 64 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 24 yards on four targets, in Week 12 at Philadelphia. Hopefully he can stack two productive games in a row for the first time this season.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Ready to face Chicago
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Dillon (quadriceps) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Chicago, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Dillon and Aaron Jones (shin/glue) both are cleared to play after limited practices throughout the week. Dillon is coming off his best game since Week 1 and faces a poor defense, but Jones has consistently gotten more playing time and touches since the first few weeks of the season when the split was more even.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Stays limited Thursday
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Dillon (quadriceps) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Both Dillon and Aaron Jones (shin/glute) are operating under caps on their practice reps to begin Week 13 preparations. There's a chance Friday's injury report clears up the situation, and if the status quo remains between the duo Sunday at Chicago, Dillon would be the No. 2 option behind Jones, the starter.
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Packers' AJ Dillon: Limited by quad injury
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Dillon was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to a quadriceps injury.
Dillon joined fellow running back Aaron Jones (shin/glute) on the injury report to kick off Week 13 prep. The latter has been a regular on reports for four weeks in a row, while former is showing up after enduring an awkward tackle near the end of this past Sunday's loss at Philadelphia. Dillon and Jones have two more sessions this week to put themselves in positions to suit up Sunday at Chicago.
