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The Green Bay Packers will have a new starter at running back on Sunday when they face the Detroit Lions, but it's an old face. With James Starks assuming the starter's job, Eddie Lacy's role will of course be cut back significantly, but that does not mean that his teammates have lost any faith in him or his ability to be a productive and important member of the team moving forward.
Meanwhile, Starks will have a chance to maintain his good performance from this season. In two games against the Lions last season, Starks ran the ball 13 times for 64 yards, an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Another critical item for the Packers will be the play of their secondary, and there's a good chance that they will get their top cover corner back in time for Sunday. Sam Shields practiced on Wednesday and is targeting a return to the playing field this weekend.
Check out all that and more in today's curds below.
Teammates discuss running back situation | Packers.com
James Starks sees Eddie Lacy as a "little brother" and Aaron Rodgers says the Packers will need Lacy later on in the season, while James Jones says Starks is "locked in."
Notes - Sam Shields making progress, hopes to play against Detroit | JSOnline.com
Having Shields back would be a big boost to the secondary against a Lions receiver corps that would likely match him up with Calvin Johnson with some regularity on Sunday.
Passing problem: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers have NFL's slowest weapons - ESPN
Maybe this is a factor in the receivers' struggles to get separation - the Packers top four receivers (Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, James Jones, and tight end Richard Rodgers) averaged a Combine 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds, slowest in the NFL and 0.23 seconds slower than the fastest group (the Colts).
Worst NFL Players at Every Position This Season | PFF
Mercifully, the Packers don't have anyone on the first team, though Mike Neal shows up as an "Honorable Mention" as an edge rusher.
The Vikings are quietly challenging the Packers for the NFC North crown - SBNation.com
The schedule for Minnesota is tougher over the next several games, while the Packers have four NFC North games in a row, including two against 1-7 Detroit. If Green Bay will get some separation in the division, it should happen over the next month.