Editor’s note: Well, there you have it -- head coach Mike McCarthy said that Starks’ injury is in the “category of a couple weeks,” according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, effectively confirming him as out for Week 5.
James Starks misses another practice, could lose fantasy handcuff value to Johnathan Franklin
Green Bay Packers running back James Starks missed another practice on Wednesday. We break down the fantasy implications.
Wesley Hitt
Green Bay Packers running back James Starks is not at practice on Wednesday, according to Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Starks is working through a knee injury suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
Starks carried the ball 14 times for 55 yards in that game. Eddie Lacy, the starter, suffered a concussion, and Starks was the primary backup and starter in the event that Lacy couldn't play. Rookie Johnathan Franklin would have been the backup to Starks at that point.
That said, Lacy is still dealing with a concussion and missed practice, as well. Starks missing practice is a bad sign, especially given that the Packers just had a bye week with which to work. A clearer picture will be available on Thursday and Friday, however.
Fantasy Impact: Starks has been considered a decent handcuff option over the past few weeks, but that could be changing. Franklin was regarded as too raw to get significant playing time, but he managed to impress against the Bengals. He carried the ball 13 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Franklin might lock up the backup job while Starks is on the sideline, meaning the latter’s fantasy value would be non-existent.
• Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
