The Green Bay Packers have James Starks, Jeff Janis, James Jones and Jared Abbrederis as fantasy pickups and start options in Week 8, as the team has been dealing with injuries to Eddie Lacy, Ty Montgomery and Davante Adams. The Packers take on the Denver Broncos next and Aaron Rodgers will try and keep the team undefeated despite the injury issues.
The Packers had a bye in Week 7 and that has allowed some players to rest up and recover, including Eddie Lacy, who has been dealing with an ankle injury. McCarthy said to the Green Bay Press-Gazette that Lacy was "beat up" in Week 6 and that Starks has been playing well and has earned playing time on offense. McCarthy added that Starks starting against the Chargers was "a production of the way he's played" and moving forward he could be more involved in the offense. Starks had 112 rushing yards in Week 6 and he out-carried Lacy by six touches in the game and had over 100 more yards total over Lacy in the victory.
Having an extra week off without a game gives Lacy some time to recover, but McCarthy said that the team plans on using the "hot hand" at running back for now, according to ESPN. Lacy has 260 yards this season and is averaging just under 4.0 yards per carry, while Starks is leading the team in rushing with 286 yards this year. Starks is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and he has been a more consistent and healthier option than Lacy over the last couple games.
Lacy is still going to get his touches and he could go off in Week 8 against the Broncos, but for now fantasy owners should look at Starks as an option to handcuff with Lacy. The Packers have been dealing with injuries since the preseason to the wide receiver position and now Ty Montgomery could be out for a bit along with Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson was lost for the season during the summer and Montgomery was carted off the field against the Chargers in the first half of the game in Week 6.
According to NFL.com, Montgomery is dealing with an ankle injury and Ian Rapoport reports that Montgomery did not suffer a high ankle sprain. The injury to Montgomery is not as serious as initially feared, but there is a chance he could miss time moving forward. Adams has been banged up this season and he also is dealing with an ankle injury and his return could take another week. Adams has played in just three games this season and has nine catches and he has not been able to stay healthy on a consistent basis in 2015.
Many fantasy owners and others around the NFL felt that Adams could step up with Nelson out, but it has been James Jones that has made the most of the injury issues. Jones has six touchdowns in six games this season and has 21 catches for 424 yards and he is the best fantasy start option alongside Randall Cobb. Fantasy owners can look at Jeff Janis as a pickup option for now, as he could get some playing time if Adams and Montgomery remain out.