Brooks went undrafted last year and played 36 snaps for the Miami Dolphins as a rookie.
The Dolphins, with a logjam in the backfield, released him in their final roster cutdown and he signed to Green Bay’s practice squad on Sept. 3.
Two weeks later, with rookie MarShawn Lloyd on injured reserve, the Packers promoted him to the 53-man roster. Entering Sunday’s game, he had played 14 snaps all season.
What on earth did he show to deem him worthy of game-deciding snaps?
He’s done a great job since the moment we got him,” coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday. “Very intelligent guy.
Definitely can contribute on (special) teams, as well.”
Then came the explanation of why the Packers entrusted him in a crucial moment.
“He’s been excellent in understanding the protection scheme,” LaFleur continued.
“Obviously, he’s coming from a very similar system when he was down in Miami.
So, he was familiar with our version of how we do our six-man protection.
He’s reliable, consistent and does a great job. We’ve seen it in practice.
That’s why he was in there at the end of the game.
Brooks played the final four snaps. He didn’t touch the ball, but the Packers might not have won without his contribution.
On his first play, Brooks ran a route on 12-yard pass to Romeo Doubs that got the Packers into range for a long field goal.
The next three plays are when Brooks might have saved the day.
