The Green Bay Packers wanted to up their run game in 2013. The team knew balance would be a key to their offensive plan this upcoming season. They opted to draft two rookie running backs in this year's draft. At one point they had too many running backs on the roster, but now after recent injuries, the Packers are just trying to hold on to the ones they have left.
ProFootballZone brought up the idea that James Starks could likely get traded at some point before the season due to the rise of DuJuan Harris and rookie Eddie Lacy. Starks had seen a drop in production after being deemed a hero of the Packers Super Bowl win in 2010. Starks had battled injuries and was considered the starter coming into training camp this year. After several turnovers in preseason, it looked like Starks time with Packers could be coming to an end.
However, all of that is in the past after Harris has been deemed out for the season. Harris was looking to be the starting running back next to Lacy, but after re-injuring his knee against the Seattle Seahawks, his season is over.
"Every offseason, you go through evaluations of your offense, you do offseason studies, you project how you envision your offense looking and then you kind of confirm things after the draft," McCarthy said, via ESPNMiwaukee.com. "You have a vision, packages in place on how you're going to start the season. I'll just tell you this: DuJuan was a big part of particularly my individual focus for this season."
The Packers really believed that Harris could greatly improve their struggling run game. Now, Lacy will step up and be the starter on Week 1. The coaching staff is working overtime to make sure the rookie is prepared to step up and make a difference immediately. Jonathan Franklin will also be expected to step in as a role player. The rookie has been slower to grasp the offense than Lacy, but he can still help eat up yardage.
This leaves Starks and veteran Alex Green. The issue will be whether or not the Packers opt to carry four running backs or three. The team has a history of carrying three backs but have rarely kept four. Starks likely wins the battle over Green based on experience and past success with the team. Green could be a quality third-down back, but that might be the only action he sees.
Franklin, Starks and Green will get a majority of the playing time in the team's final preseason game. The Packers are attempting to make their final roster after this game. Starks seems like a lock. Franklin has no trade value, but could get released. Green might be the odd man out.