James Starks Named Packers' Starting Running Back over Eddie Lacy

Two years removed from his impressive rookie campaign, Eddie Lacy has lost his job as the Green Bay Packers' starting running back. Head coach Mike McCarthy announced Wednesday that James Starks is the team's top option for the time being.

"I would say James is our No. 1 back right now, going into Detroit," McCarthy said, per Mike Spofford of Packers.com. "He has played very well and he earned that opportunity. But I'm not a big believer in just riding one running back the whole season, so we'll stay with the one-two punch."

Starks has rushed for 334 yards and a touchdown this year while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He has also caught 19 passes for 167 yards and two TDs.

Lacy, meanwhile, has struggled for the most part. He's averaging almost a full yard less (3.7) than he did last year (4.6) and also suffered a minor groin injury on Nov. 8 against the Carolina Panthers.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke believes McCarthy is justified in elevating Starks above Lacy given how the two players have performed.

Ben Fennell of ESPN highlighted a few different areas in which Starks has excelled compared to his counterpart in the backfield:

Neither player is an elite-level NFL running back—at least at the moment—but Starks is the better of the two options.

Plus, if Lacy is still getting back to full health following that groin injury, playing a secondary role behind Starks will lighten his workload a bit.

This news comes with somewhat significant fantasy football implications since it firmly cements the hierarchy in Green Bay's running game.

Expectations were high for Lacy coming into the year. His average draft position was the third-highest among all players on ESPN.com. On performance alone, though, he hasn't warranted a spot as even a flex player in most standard leagues.

At least now fantasy owners with Lacy on their team can bench him without worrying about whether this is the week he'll finally have a big game.

As long as Starks is the Packers' preferred choice, Lacy should remain out of your starting lineup.

Starks, on the other hand, should be considered a flex at the very least and possibly an RB2. His true value is still somewhat unknown until McCarthy shows how he plans to split time between the two running backs.