Eddie Lacy's Reduced Playing Time vs. Lions Reportedly Due to Missed Curfew

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy reportedly missed curfew on Dec. 2, which resulted in his reduced role in the team's victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN reported the reason for the demotion and noted that fellow running back Alonzo Harris also missed curfew and was subsequently cut. Head coach Mike McCarthy previously called it an "internal football decision" but didn't provide any details.

“I think Eddie’s been rejuvenated,” McCarthy said in a team release on Tuesday:

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His work was good today. I checked in with him just like I do with all players. I look for him to have a good week of practice and be productive Sunday. We’re worried about what’s in front of us. We talk about what’s behind us way too much.”

Everything Eddie wants to accomplish is right there in front of him, that’s what we’re focused on today. If Eddie or any other player wants to jump up and grab an opportunity, it’s right in front of him.

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On Sunday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it's "safe to say [that the Packers] have concerns about [Lacy]." He added, "On the field, he's dynamic. Off the field, they need better attention [and] commitment."

Rapoport also explained the decision surrounding Harris: "Packers were gonna sign [Harris] to the practice squad, but now won't. They don't want any outside influences on [his] buddy [Lacy].

Lacy has battled injuries throughout the season and has struggled to produce when on the field. He finally showed some signs of life in recent weeks, however, registering two straight 100-yard games against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.

He finished Thursday's game with just five carries for four yards and one catch. James Starks picked up most of the extra work in the backfield and tallied 14 touches for 60 yards. The Packers won on a game-ending 61-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Richard Rodgers.

That miracle play prevented Green Bay from picking up its fifth loss in its last six games. Still, even with the win, the Packers are second in the NFC North behind the Minnesota Vikings, though their usually dynamic offense ranks No. 24 in yards per game.

Getting more consistency out of Lacy would go a long way in helping the unit get back on track. But he just can't seem to get things going like he did when he rushed for at least 1,100 rushing yards in each of his first two seasons. And the latest setback is reportedly due to a self-inflicted mistake.

It's unclear how the situation will impact Lacy moving forward.