After a loss in Week 10, it is clear the Green Bay Packers have bigger issues outside of the struggling Eddie Lacy. However, the running back was a storyline for the team that has now lost two straight games while getting booed by the home fans. The Packers announced earlier in the week that James Starks was getting the starting nod against the Detroit Lions while Lacy was sent to the bench. However, the running back was ruled out altogether with a groin injury. So where do the Packers go from here?
Lacy was inactive for the first time since Week 3 of his rookie season. The running back has simply not been playing well and after a demotion, he sat out the matchup against the Detroit Lions while dealing with a groin problem. Lacy claimed earlier last week that injuries have not been an issue towards his low production, but many wonder how true that is.
"I honestly don't know what it is," Lacy said, via ESPN.com. "Definitely, I'm off to a different start. I'm not playing how I was the previous two years. Later on in the season, maybe it'll pick back up. But as of right now, this is just the move that is going to be. ... This league is tough. Some years will be different from others. Some games are different than others. This is definitely not easy."
Starks did very little to help the Packers. He put up 42 yards on 15 carries along with 54 yards on six catches. The low numbers gave the Packers a reason to consider putting Lacy back in the starting role for Week 11, but it is also clear Green Bay has bigger issues outside of the run game. The offense simply lacks any kind of spark. The Packers have failed to get by without Jordy Nelson while the ankle injury to Ty Montgomery is not helping. Davante Adams and Randall Cobb cannot do it all.
The Packers have a critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11 with the NFC North up in the air. Green Bay is losing steam at 7-2 while Minnesota is on the rise. The Packers admit they simply have no answers as to why things have gone quiet. While stressing he is not injured, Aaron Rodgers admitted the team needs to find a way to get better playmakers on the field.
"I think it's about getting your best guys on the field and trying to find a way to get them the ball," Rodgers said, via ESPN.com. "Jared has earned some opportunities. He did a nice job for us. Justin did a nice job for us as well, made some plays. Just get those guys in good positions and try to be effective. If teams are going to continue to load the box up and dare us to throw the ball with some one-high press [coverage], we've got to convert."
With Montgomery injured and James Jones going silent, Jared Abbrederis and Justin Perillo have been stepping up. The rise in depth is good, but overall the Packers need guys like Cobb, Jones and Lacy doing more for the offense if the team is going to bounce back.
