The Green Bay Packers have listed both of their running backs as questionable on the Friday injury report. Starter Eddie Lacy is dealing with an injured ankle and backup James Starks has a knee injury.
Of the two, Lacy seems more likely to play. He actually participated in practice in a limited form, while Starks has practiced all week. Still, the Packers are potentially facing the nightmare scenario we have discussed at length. Fullback Aaron Ripkowski is the only other ball carrier on the roster.
What the Packers will do if both Lacy and Starks sit remains a mystery. Their options, in order of likelihood, appear to be as follows.
- Largely forego the running game and utilize more receivers (they have plenty)
- Go to a committee of Ripkowski, Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery in the backfield
- Elevate Don Jackson from the practice squad
The Packers have a roster spot to go with the third option after releasing quarterback Joe Callahan on Thursday. However, Jackson didn’t even take part in training camp. The Packers released the undrafted rookie before camp began only to add him to the practice squad once it ended. That move made about as much sense as not having a third running back on the roster to begin with.
That aside, the point here is we’re not even sure Jackson knows the offense.
What we can tell you at this point is there is certainly a contingency plan. Even if Lacy does go, there’s a chance he’ll aggravate his ankle injury during the game. The only questions for the Packers are if they’ll have to use their backup plan and when they’ll have to use it.
And the only question for us is what is that backup plan?
In other injury news, cornerback Damarious Randall remains questionable with a groin injury. It’s the same designation he had going into the Giants game and he didn’t play. Cornerback Sam Shields remains out with a concussion.
