The curios case of Eddie Lacy continues as the running back took another turn in his roller coaster season. Lacy's year did not start off well as he struggled on the field and with injuries. He lost his starting job to James Starks, but then appeared to get things back in gear over the past two weeks despite a few fumbles. However, Week 13 was not kind to Lacy as he suffered an ankle injury and barely saw the field.
The Packers got the win in Week 13, but is certainly was not because of Lacy. The running back did not get the start against the Detroit Lions as head coach Mike McCarthy told WFRV-TV's Ryan Rodig that Lacy did not have a good week of practice and Starks would get the first load of work. Neither Starks nor Lacy did much of anything against the Lions as John Crockett came in and lead the ground game. Now Lacy admits he really has no idea where he stands with the team.
Man, that's something I don't know about," Lacy said, via ESPN.com. "We'll see as the season goes on."
The Packers have some time to figure out their ground game as they have an extra few days of rest. Lacy finished the day with just one yard from scrimmage before reportedly suffering an ankle injury. Starks did not play any better, rushing the ball nine times for 15 yards while having a fumble in the endzone. Crockett was the back with the most productivity and it came as 22 yards in total. All in all, the run game is a huge area of weakness behind an injured-riddled offensive line. That has forced Aaron Rodgers to pass more than handoff. McCarthy admitted that Crockett was the only spark the offense had.
"Eddie didn't have a great week, so we went with James," McCarthy said, via ESPN.com. "The idea was to come in there with a one-two punch. What can I say about Crockett? He's a guy that's just been working super-hard and we felt like he deserved an opportunity. The initiative was more for special teams, but as we got going in the game and the things that were happening in the game and with his running style, I decided to stick him in there and he gave us a big spark."
It is really anyone's guess who gets the bulk of the work in Week 14. The Packers are fighting for a playoff spot and cannot afford to take a step back. Right now the run game is a step back and both Lacy and Starks are a result of that. The next week of practice will be critical for both players.
