Starks and the Packers host Detroit on Sunday. Head coach Mike McCarthy told the media that James Starks is now the top dog in the backfield.
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Coach Mike McCarthy tabbed James Starks as the Packers’ top back going into this weekend’s game against the Lions, replacing Lacy. “He’s played well and deserves that opportunity. We’ll stay with a 1-2 punch”.
McCarthy says the team will continue to use both backs.
“What you can’t do is allow something like this to… play tricks on your mind, because then I think you’ll just try to do too much and you’ll be less productive”, Lacy said.
“It’s not just one guy”. However, for a player that becomes eligible for a contract extension following the season, losing the starting job midway through the year represents a huge setback. Lacy is fully practicing this week after exiting early in Week 9 with a groin injury. Lacy, a 2013 Pro Bowler and offensive rookie of the year, had more than 1,100 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons with 24 combined touchdowns. Starks actually started the October 18 game against the San Diego Chargers and rushed for a season-high 112 yards on just 10 carries.
Lacy ran for 10 yards on five carries against Carolina’s tough defense, while Starks had 39 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
Lacy’s fumble with less than five minutes left in the first half Sunday set the Carolina Panthers up at the Packers’ 24-yard line, though the extra possession led only to a missed field goal.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke believes McCarthy is justified in elevating Starks above Lacy given how the two players have performed. However, Lacy insisted recently that he had not been fined for being overweight. I’m not playing how I was the previous two years.
“I honestly don’t know what it is”, Lacy said.
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Lacy and Starks have a close friendship.
