The Green Bay Packers appear to be rolling through two games of the season despite some unwanted injuries to start the year off. However, those injuries continue to get worse as the team is being forced to dig into their depth for help as Week 3 approaches. With Eddie Lacy and Davante Adams potentially out, the pressure falls on players like James Starks to step up.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, both Lacy and Adams are getting extra days off to rest their injured ankles as both players suffered sprains on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Mike McCarthy remained hopeful that the extra rest would be what is needed to get both players back on the field as they will be needed against the Kansas City Chiefs. If both players are out, depth is an issue.
If Lacy is not active come Week 3, Starks will get the start and the Packers have plenty of confidence in the backup running back. Starks filled in for Lacy in Week 2 and put up 95 yards off 20 carries as 61 of those yards were after contact according to ESPN's Stats and Information. Starks is an immediate waiver wire option for fantasy owners. Even if Lacy is active Week 3, the backup could see a lot more playing time given the ankle injury. Starks possesses the same qualities as Lacy in both the rushing and passing game and McCarthy stressed full confidence in him.
"James Starks is a helluva running back," 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."
The injury to Adams is a little more worrisome if he is unable to play. Already without Jordy Nelson, losing Adams would put a strain on the offense. James Jones would get a lot more passes thrown his way as he continues to be a breakout star in 2015. Ty Montgomery is getting some looks as he went 4 for 4 against the Seahawks for 37 yards. Jones would be the major pickup for fantasy owners. It is clear the veteran has been chemistry with Aaron Rodgers than any of the other younger receivers on the team.
