Aaron Jones says other teams are sleeping on him and Packers backfield

Packers running back Aaron Jones has missed three straight practices with a minor hamstring injury, but that hasn’t shaken his confidence heading into the season.

The former UTEP star is expected to split carries with Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery this season.

He told reporters that while Aaron Rodgers gets most of the headlines, teams would be wise not to overlook the running game.

“When they look in the backfield, they’re like, oh, it’s whatever. But, I hope teams sleep on us,” he said. “I mean, we’ve got me plus two other backs, really three with out fullback.”

Jones told reporters Monday that he expects to be back no later than Thursday, although head coach Mike McCarthy set a time table for his return.

The injury means that Jones is missing out on valuable reps at practice – reps that are going to other running backs.

In addition to missing time in practice now, Jones will also miss the first two games of the regular season. The NFL suspended him earlier this month after he pleaded no contest to a marijuana-related charge stemming from a traffic stop last October.

But Jones is confident that no matter who gets the carries, other teams need to be prepared.

“I feel like we could be really explosive this year,” Jones told reporters. “Like I said, if teams sleep on us, it’s gonna hurt them.”