The Packers could be a little thin at running back on Sunday in Kansas City, and they won’t know exactly how many healthy ball-carriers they’ll have until shortly before kickoff.
Starks returned to practice on Friday on a limited basis for the first time in two weeks, doing individual drills only. He sat out last week’s game after aggravating his lower leg injuries for a third straight contest back on Dec. 4 against the Giants.
Meanwhile, Saine sat out all week following his concussion in last Sunday’s game against Oakland.
“I’m hopeful at least one of those two guys can go,” McCarthy said.
If not, the Packers will be down to two healthy ball-carriers in
“We prepare the same way,” said Grant, who broke off a 47-yard touchdown run on his first carry last week and went on to post his second-highest yardage total of the season, with 85. “We will just make sure we’re ready for whatever case, personnel-wise.”
Grant has spoken often about taking advantage of additional carries to get into a rhythm, particularly with the postseason approaching. McCarthy said he backed off Grant last week when the offense was down to just the two rushers, so it’s difficult to say how much work Grant will actually get on Sunday.
Normally a fullback, Kuhn has provided the offense with the ultimate utility player in recent years, filling in at halfback in a pinch. He doesn’t possess the breakaway ability Grant does, but he still compiled 46 yards on 10 carries last week, a solid 4.6 yards per rush.
“The goal is to make the play a winning play,” Kuhn said. “Sometimes you just need three or four yards to make it a winning play, but we’re looking to stay explosive. We don’t feel like anybody that we put in there this game is going to change the fact that our offense is still going to be explosive.”
There’s always a chance that either Starks or Saine could be cleared and active on gameday but only as an emergency substitute. That’s essentially what happened last week with inside linebacker
Hawk will be back at his usual starting spot on Sunday, but fellow inside linebacker
Like Hawk and Bishop, right guard
“I’m ready to play,” Sitton said. “It’s out of my hands now. It’s up to them.
“I felt great all week. I practiced all week, did a lot of things. I feel good.”
If Sitton returns, the Packers’ offensive line would be back to the starting five that began six straight games beginning in Week 6. Due to injuries to left tackle
On the defensive line,
“I’ve been getting more snaps as the year has been going on,” Green said. “More snaps for me is good. I don’t mind. We have