Former Packers Star RB Medically Cleared for NFL Return in 2025

Free agency has already gotten wild on the first day of the negotiating period for teams. While multiple trades and free agency signings went down, there is another free agent to make note of.

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Former Green Bay Packers star running back AJ Dillon is now set for a 2025 return. Dillon missed the 2024 season due to a neck injury but has since been cleared to play.

Dillon is only 26 years old and has posted 2,248 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns through the first four seasons of his career.

Dillon had signed a one-year deal worth up to $2.575 million with the Packers, but saw his career derailed due to a neck injury. Now, he will be free to sign with a new team in 2025.

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Dillon suffered a neck stinger in a joint practice with the Denver Broncos in training camp 2024. The injury was very similar to the one he suffered towards the end of the 2023 season, leading to him missing the final three games of the season.

While speaking to reporters about the injury shortly after it happened, Dillon stated:

"I've had stingers in the past before the end of last year," Dillon said, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Some are more severe than others, so you kind of look at them differently. But we're waiting to get opinions back and see all the information before we make any statements that are untrue."

The neck injuries derailed Dillon from bouncing back in 2024, and he would spend the entire season recovering. Now, he has been fully medically cleared by doctors and can join a new team.

Despite missing the last three games in 2023, Dillon secured 613 yards and two touchdowns, along with 178 carries for a 3.4 yards per carry average.

Dillon could provide a strong veteran presence for a team that needs a backup option and rotational piece. There are plenty of running back-needy teams, and the good news is Dillon might come cheap.

Considering his deal in 2024 was for $2.575 million, he might be signed fore the vet minimum or a minimal "prove it" deal. Either way, he is still a viable back.

Now that he is also fully healthy, Dillon could experience a resurgence. At only 26 years old, there are likely going to be numerous teams who want to bring him in for a workout.

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