James

Starks

Starks’ preseason struggles and a turf toe injury left him inactive for the first five games of the year. But now that Cedric Benson (foot) is out at least eight weeks, he’ll be back in the mix. Last year, Starks averaged 4.34 yards per carry and scored one touchdown while operating in a strict timeshare with Ryan Grant. Expect a similar committee approach now involving Starks and second-year man Alex Green. Brandon Saine has been a mere special teamer so far this season.

Benson also indicated the Jets touched base “way earlier” in the summer. Out of touch with his market value entering his age-29 season, Benson “made it pretty clear” to SiriusXM radio’s Adam Schein that he’s holding out for more than the veteran minimum salary. Unless the Seahawks get desperate in the wake of Marshawn Lynch’s DUI arrest, he’s not going to get his wish. The Packers’ interest is proof that the team hasn’t closed the door on a veteran backfield addition.

It’s the second straight week that Starks has held a massive edge in terms of snap count. There is clearly a changing of the guard here, as Starks earned a role over the declining Grant in preseason and has solidified it by averaging 6.76 yards per carry through two games. Starks is the back to own and use going forward. His touches will rise once the Packers start sitting on leads.

He added three receptions for 9 yards. Starks was used primarily as the third-down back and was extremely hesitant when he touched the ball on the ground, running with little to no confidence. He also had a fourth quarter cough up that led directly to a Bears touchdown. While it didn’t end up costing Green Bay the game, it could keep him in coach Mike McCarthy’s doghouse for at least the start of the team’s Week 4 game against Denver. That being said, we still like Starks going forward, so consider this the perfect time to buy low.

The paper also confirms James Starks is “likely to see an increased workload,” despite an 11-carry, 5-yard Week 3, with a lost fumble. Grant appeared on the verge of taking the lead in Green Bay’s backfield committee, but he has not been cleared to practice. Starks now gets a big opportunity to leap ahead.

A bruised kidney is a serious enough injury that the Packers have had to step in to protect Grant from himself this week. All signs point toward Grant sitting out, allowing James Starks to take over the feature back role against the Broncos.

Grant just couldn’t get medically cleared, so James Starks will start against the Broncos. While Denver’s defense has stifled the run in its last two games, it’s also been selling out to do so facing Andy Dalton/Cedric Benson and Matt Hasselbeck/Chris Johnson. The Broncos won’t have that luxury against Aaron Rodgers. Consider Starks a strong RB2 play. This could be the opportunity he needs to leap ahead of Grant in the backfield pecking order for good.

He also reeled in two catches for 19 yards. Starks rotated snaps with Ryan Grant on Green Bay’s first possession, but out-carried him 11 to four after Grant killed the drive with a lost fumble. Playing in the league’s most explosive passing offense, Starks will likely continue to post inconsistent numbers on a weekly basis, but has clearly established himself as the Packers’ running back to own. He could be in for a huge day when the Packers host the Rams’ 32nd ranked run defense in Week 6.

Starks was relatively quiet until a six-carry, 55-yard drive to salt away a six-point lead and drain the Vikings of timeouts to end the game. He outplayed Ryan Grant (9 carries, 29 yards) and came up with his three biggest runs in crunch time. The 99 total yards are the most by Starks since Week 2. He remains more of a flex option than a RB2 heading into the Week 8 bye.

The Packers will let Grant establish his own market in free agency after failing to show any semblance of play-making ability for the majority of the season. Chances are the 29-year-old will return to Green Bay on a modest short-term contract.