The burst is finally back for James Starks, but two months too late to seize the starting job in the Packers’ backfield.
Following Ryan Grant’s offseason departure, the door was open for the third-year running back to seize the starting running back role until he suffered a turf toe injury on the second offensive play of the team’s preseason opener against San Diego on Aug. 9.
Starks continued playing and didn’t feel the full extent of the injury until the plane ride home. Three days later, the Packers signed veteran Cedric Benson, who’s developed into the team’s every-down back and averaging 16 carries per game through the first four games.
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“I’m anxious just to get another carry out there and play and see what I can do,” Starks said. “See how it feels to get contact with another team, break some tackles, help my team win a little bit, but at the same time, I’m getting better. I’m getting better with everything and helping them get better too. That’s my job, I have to take pride in that, and do what I can to make this team better as a whole.”