Eddie Lacy has proven he can handle being the work horse for the Green Bay Packers run game. The rookie is on pace for an impressive season especially after the loss of Aaron Rodgers. He has been fantasy gold for owners this season, but that could change after an ankle injury is putting his Week 15 status in jeopardy.
The running back confirmed that an ankle issue held him back in the Packers' win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He sustained the injury in the first half and had a noticeable limp going down the field. He finished the day with 65 yards on 20 carries and three catches for 25 yards. In his place, James Starks took over and carried the ball seven times for 19 yards.
"I just got it re-taped tighter and spatted tighter so I could take away some of the pain," said Lacy, via the Pioneer Press. "It was stationary (his ankle), but it took away as much pain as it could and I tolerated the rest of it. I had to improvise, I had to chop my feet just so I don't put as much pressure on it as I normally would."
That improvising has led to a nasty injury and head coach Mike McCarthy said it is simply too soon to tell if Lacy will be able to go in the Packers' Week 15 game. Losing Lacy would be a big hit to the team as the face the Dallas Cowboys. With Jonathan Franklin out for the season, Starks will get the start. Facing a leaky defense of the Cowboys could mean big numbers for whoever starts in the backfield. If Lacy has yet to appear to appear at practice, Starks is the best waiver wire option in his place.
The Packers are hoping that if Lacy is out, Rodgers is in. The quarterback will be undergoing more tests on Wednesday with the hopes of getting medically cleared to play against the Cowboys. Matt Flynn may have gotten the win against Atlanta to keep playoff hopes alive, but Rodgers is the team's best option going forward.
McCarthy is making the game plan like Flynn will be the starter for the team since Rodgers is not cleared to play. The coach declined to say whether or not the quarterback was ready to play in the game, but did note that he is making progress in rehab with his strength.