The Green Bay Packers are one of the top teams in the NFL despite getting written off in the preseason following the injury to Jordy Nelson. Depth has proven critical for the Packers, but could be tested once again as several other players remain questionable entering the Monday night matchup against Kansas City. Will Eddie Lacy and Davante Adams see the field or will James Starks and Ty Montgomery see a jump in production?
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, both Lacy and Adams have been updated to probable regarding their status for Monday night. Both players have been dealing with ankle injuries throughout the week which have kept them out of practice. However sources are reporting that both Adams and Lacy returned to individual drills and are expected to play. That is good news for the offense as Aaron Rodgers wants his best options on the field heading into a key game against the Chiefs.
If for some reason, Lacy's status were to change between now and kickoff, the Packers have full confidence in James Starks to be the leading rusher. While Starks numbers are actually better when he is splitting carries with someone, the Packers believe the dynamic back can get the job done if need be. Starks is not the bruising rusher that Lacy is, but he can make a different in both the ground and passing games for the Packers.
"James Starks is a helluva running back," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, via ESPN.com. "Let's go back to his rookie year [2010]. I mean, he was on PUP pretty much almost [all season]. I think it was the last four weeks of the season we brought him up, and he was a big part of our run to the Super Bowl. So he just is a guy that takes advantage of his opportunities. He's the ultimate teammate. He always puts the team first."
According to McCarthy, Lacy and Starks could split carries on Monday if need be. Just because Lacy is healthy does not mean he is ready for a full workload just yet. Rushing against Kansas City will not be easy. The team comes with the eighth-best run defense in the league which is why the Packers are hopeful Lacy is ready to go.
Adams is critical to the offense as well. With Nelson out, Adams has been leading the charge with Randall Cobb. If he is hampered at all, expect Ty Montgomery to get more playing time along with James Jones who is enjoying a solid year back with Rodgers. Jones has simply picked up right where he left off with Rodgers after spending a year with the Raiders.