Mike McCarthy: 'James Starks is our No. 1 back right now'

After another disappointing performance by Eddie Lacy, the Green Bay Packers have made a switch at starting tailback. Head coach Mike McCarthy told the media that James Starks is now the top dog in the backfield.

"I would say James Starks is our No. 1 back right now going into Detroit," McCarthy said Wednesday. "He's played well and deserves that opportunity. Still will use a 1-2 punch with Eddie Lacy."

Even though McCarthy plans to feature both tailbacks, Starks should receive the larger workload. Against the Carolina Panthers, he carried the ball twice as much as Lacy. Perhaps more significantly, Starks netted eight targets and six catches compared to just one target and zero catches for Lacy.

The demotion doesn't mean Lacy can't reclaim the starting job, nor does it necessarily suggest that he is no longer part of the team's future plans. However, for a player that becomes eligible for a contract extension following the season, losing the starting job midway through the year represents a huge setback.