The only running back who hasn’t been on the field for the Green Bay Packers yet — DuJuan Harris — is the starter, according to coach Mike McCarthy.
Harris finished last season as the starter, but he hasn’t practiced yet during training camp because of a hamstring injury. No matter!
“I’m excited to see when DuJuan Harris comes back, because I view him as our starter,” McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. “I want him to get back in there and earn it like he did all of last year. He made an impact in our offense.”
Be that as it may, James Starks and Alex Green opened camp alternating with the No. 1 offense. Since then, Eddie Lacy has gotten most of the attention, especially after gaining 65 yards on eight carries during Family Night. Johnathan Franklin is also in the mix, but hasn’t made a serious challenge for the top spot.
That being said, Franklin and Lacy are guaranteed roster spots as fourth- and second-round picks. That leaves one or possibly two spots for Harris, Green and Starks. The Packers tried to trade Starks during the draft and we’d fully expect them to try to move him again before final cuts.
Green, who battled a lingering knee injury all last season, is sidelined again with a knee problem. That could be a sign that his days in Green Bay are numbered. We all know how much Ted Thompson loves guys trying to come back from an injury.
Their saving grace would be if Harris can’t get back on the field soon. The Packers may end up stashing him on the physically unable to perform list to open the season, opening a roster spot of Green or Starks. That would keep Harris sidelined through the first six games of the season.
By that time (or sooner), you can bet Lacy will be entrenched atop the depth chart. You don’t draft a guy in the second round and then not give him the opportunity to start.