NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons Ryan Grant Has Played His Last Game with Packers

The NFL's can be a cruel game.

Just ask Packers running back Ryan Grant.

The 28-year-old Grant was supposed to play a prominent role in the upstart Packers offense. Grant ended up on the I.R after a little over one quarter of action in the 2010 NFL season with a severe ankle injury.

He ran well in his eight 2010 carries, collecting 45 yards for a 5.6 average. He was forced to watch his team roll through the NFL in route to a Super Bowl championship.

Now, his future with the Packers is very cloudy. Combine the Packers history of dealing with running backs with his expensive contract and we have only a few reasons why Grant's days in Green Bay may be numbered.

Here are 10 reasons Grant may have played his last game with the Green Bay Packers.

10. The Emergence of James Starks

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Ima

Starks averaged just under 80 yards a game in the four postseason games.

The 24-year-old back averaged almost five yards per carry in the Super Bowl. Starks is extremely cheap and has quickly earned the trust of QB Aaron Rodgers.

It's a cold world in the NFL.

9. Ankle Injury Still an Issue

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 22: Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the football for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field on November 22, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 30-24. (

How serious was the injury?

The information has been hard to find on the updates of his ankle. How bad is the injury when the words "broken" and "fractured" aren't used?

All the reports say 'ankle injury" and don't dive into much more detail than that. Not trying to start a conspiracy theory...but it is interesting how little information was released about the extent of the injury.

8. Lack of Consistency

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 07: Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers runs against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Ravens 27-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

It's been the No. 1 criticism of Grant throughout his career.

He rushed for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009, good enough for the third most rushing yards in the NFC. But during that season, Grant had seven games without a score. Somewhat puzzling for a featured back in a high-scoring offense.

In 2008, Grant failed to reached four yards a carry.

Then of course we have the extremely brief 2010 campaign.

7. Packers Have History of Letting Running Backs Go

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 14: Ahmad Carroll #28 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Nate Burleson #81 of the Minnesota Vikings during a game at Lambeau Field on November 14, 2004 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Vikings

The Packers love their franchise QBs.

But they have a spotty history when it comes to holding on to productive running backs.

Ahmad Green, Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor were all sitting in Grant's shoes at one point in time.

Whose to say the Packers won't repeat history once again?

6. If It Ain't Broke...

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers turns to nad the ball off to James Starks #44 of agains the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-2

The Packers won the Super Bowl with a group of cast-offs this season.

Sure Brandon Jackson, John Kuhn and James Starks are not going to win any MVPs soon...but the trio was a essential piece to a championship team.

They have proven to the Packers that the team can win a championship with him.

The Packers have never won a Super Bowl with Grant.

5. Other Teams Will Deal for Grant

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks runs down field against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Image

There are plenty of teams that find themselves in a worse situation at running back than the Packers.

The Seahawks, Bengals, Saints, Patriots, Colts and Bills could all use Grant's services. A trade to bring in some more help on the O-Line could entice the Packers to move Grant.

Teams would still love to have Grant because...

4. Grant Still Has High Value

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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 08: Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

He may not be the best runner in the league, but let's not forget that Grant had established himself as one of the top 10-12 backs in the league.

He corrected his fumbling problem of '08 and didn't have a single turnover in '09.

He ran for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2009, and he is going to be fresh. The value is there and plenty of teams would make a phone call to G.M. Ted Thompson if Grant were made available.

3. Might Hold Out If There Is Contract Dispute

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 13: Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers signals the game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears on September 13, 2009 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-15. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Grant was a free agent in '08 and didn't participate in OTAs, and his agent called the franchise insulting when they offered Grant a deal that was deemed subpar.

He went on to rush for 3.9 yards a carry and only four TDs. If Grant's name were to appear in trade rumors...who knows what he might do.

2. Ted Thompson Is Ruthless

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson celebrates after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Most businessman aren't the nicest of guys, and the quiet Thompson has proven to be a tough when it comes to negotiating with players.

How many other G.M's would have told a living legend to beat it when he wasn't ready to go? It was one of the hardest moves a G.M. in any sport has ever had to make.

How'd that turn out for both sides?

1. $$$$$$

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 05: Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers is upended by Antoine Winfield #26 of the Minnesota Vikings as Ben Leber #51 looks on during the Monday Night Football game on October 5, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Grant is due to make $6 million in 2011, and that's a pretty penny for a running back not named Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson.

Grant will make another $2 million if he runs for 1,400 yards.

Every team is worried about money, even the Super Bowl champs. With plenty of players that came up big in the Super Bowl wanting to cash in...will Grant be the odd man out?

Injuries are always unexpected and unfortunate and can change the course of a player's career quickly.

Stay tuned to the status of Grant as the 2011 approaches.