Bad news, Alex Green. The Green Bay Packers have activated DuJuan Harris from the physically unable to perform list.
That makes a crowded backfield even more crowded. Harris, who finished last season as the Packers starting running back, is still considered the team’s starter, according to coach Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy-DuJuan Harris-the way he finished last season, I would classify him as a starter at RB. Doesn't mean he plays every down.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 12, 2013
Harris had been battling a hamstring injury, which is why he opened camp on the PUP list. Now he’ll presumably get three preseason games to prove he’s still the starter.
It was suggested when training camp started that Harris might be out longer than this, which would have put his roster spot in jeopardy. The Packers drafted two backs — Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin — and also have James Starks and Alex Green on the roster. Both Starks and Green have been starters for the Packers.
Starks started the Packers preseason opener and averaged a pretty mediocre 3.2 per carry. Franklin followed Starks and Green was the third back in. Both of them managed only a pathetic 2.3 per carry.
After the game, it came out that the Packers were looking to trade Green.
If they can’t trade him and/or Starks, then they’re going to have to cut one or both of those guys. Unless Harris suddenly proves to be awful, that is.
Lacy and Franklin are getting roster spots. If Harris doesn’t regress, he’s likely getting one too. That makes what happens to Starks and Green one of the biggest stories of training camp.