With Packers running backs James Starks (pictured) and Eddie Lacy finally healthy at the same time, both guys will be playing.
But while the carries will be shared, Lacy is expected to remain the No. 1 guy.
“Eddie is running the ball well right now,” running backs coach Alex Van Pelt recently said, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I’m just trying to take some of the load off of Eddie and split up the remaining reps between Johnathan [Franklin] and James, because James and Johnathan still bring some unique abilities to the run game.”
“It’s a good problem. It’s been awhile. I like having three backs dressed up.”
Of course, it’s just a matter of time before one of the three running backs is injured again. Until that happens, the goal will be to find a way to make each of them happy -- and also to recognize which guy has the hot hand in any given game. Though Lacy, a rookie from Alabama, has played well, Starks was off to a great start before injuring his knee against the Bengals.
Officially probable for Sunday night’s game, Starks is virtually certain to play. And the Packers are virtually certain to use all three guys against a Minnesota defense that has struggled throughout the season to stop opposing offenses.