The Green Bay Packers have placed running back Eddie Lacy on injured reserve. It appears that the ankle injury suffered by Packers running back, Eddie Lacy, was more serious than previously reported.
Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that Lacy will undergo ankle surgery, and be placed on injured reserve. Depending on how fast Lacy can recover, there’s a good chance that Lacy misses the rest of the 2016 season. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network also reported that Lacy went for a second opinion, which confirmed that his ankle was indeed more than a sprain, and would require surgery.
Green Bay Packers Place Eddie Lacy on the Injured Reserve
Rapoport also reported that the Packers haven’t yet decided about a possible return for Lacy before the season ends. Lacy won’t be eligible to return from the IR until week fifteen, if he’s even able to go. As far as Thursday Night’s game against the Chicago Bears, Rapoport reports that the Packers will use Don Jackson who was signed from the practice squad as their primary back, but expect to see a lot of receiver Ty Montgomery in the backfield.
Lacy’s contract with Green Bay is set to expire in March, which means the Packers are going to have to decide whether or not Lacy is worth a long-term contract or even an extension. Besides having trouble staying healthy, Lacy also has an issue with keeping his weight under control. Schefter has reported that the Pro Bowl running back has put the weight back on in October, and is close to his 2015 playing weight of 255-265lbs.
With Lacy now out until at least week fifteen, means that newly acquired running back, Knile Davis, has a great opportunity to establish himself as the Packers primary running back for the rest of the 2016 season and possibly beyond.
Davis is in his fourth NFL season. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of the University of Arkansas. While with the Chiefs, the former Arkansas product rushed for 775 yards on 33 carries (4.7 ypc) with eleven touchdowns in 50 games. Davis also has 260 yards receiving on 31 receptions with only one touchdown.
Green Bay’s only other possibility at running back is the oft-injured James Starks, a seven-year veteran who recently underwent surgery, and is not expected back for at least several weeks as he tries to recover.
Lacy, 26, was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama. Since coming into the league, Lacy went on to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, as well as earning his only trip to the Pro Bowl. Through his first four seasons with Green Bay, the Crimson Tide standout has rushed for 3,435 yards with 23 rushing touchdowns, while catching 101 passes for 900 yards and one touchdown.
