Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (knee) did not participate in practice all week and has been ruled out for the team's Week 5 game against the Detroit Lions. In two games this season, Starks has 187 yards rushing and a touchdown on 34 carries for an impressive average of 5.5 yards per carry.
James Starks injury update: Packers RB ruled out as fantasy play this week
The Packers’ fill-in running back will not play against the Lions in Week 5. We discuss the fantasy implications.
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Fantasy impact: There is no question that the Packers want rookie Eddie Lacy (concussion) to be the workhorse running back that leads the team on the ground, but he was hurt on the first play of the game in a Week 2 win over the Washington Redskins.
Fantasy owners for the most part should know that Starks’s role on the team was only temporary as Lacy is expected to start in Week 5 after having passed all of his concussion related tests. That’s especially true when you consider the fact that Starks had zero carries before Lacy was sidelined.
Going into Week 5, the Lions have given up the sixth most fantasy points to running backs so far this season. Fantasy owners should look for another option if they were using Starks as one of their main running backs, since there is no reason for the Packers to rush him back into the lineup anymore.
• Week 5 fantasy football rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST
