As expected, Packers RB James Starks is active against the Niners. The guy has been ineffective all year, though, and shouldn't garner more than a few touches. Look for DuJuan Harris to remain the backfield leader ... and a weak option against San Francisco's run D.

Packers RB James Starks (knee) put in a full week of practice and is probable for Saturday's game against the 49ers.  He'll likely be active, but Starks is looking at no more than a handful of touches against the league's #2 RB defense.  DuJuan Harris should stick as Green Bay's lead back.

Packers RB James Starks continues to inch towards a return after injuring his knee back in Week 13.  "There's a lot that goes into the evaluation every week. We'll see how it goes. He looked good today," RBs coach Alex Van Pelt said after Wednesday's practice.  "We're just trying to mix him in, still evaluating everybody to see where we are at the end of the week."  Starks worked with the scout team last week but has seen action with the 1st-team offense this week.  Even if he's active on Saturday, though, he's unlikely to be higher than 3rd on the depth chart behind DuJuan Harris and Ryan Grant.  And Green Bay doesn't project to run much against San Fran's stout front-7.

Packers RB James Starks (knee) is inactive for tonight’s Wild Card showdown. He snuck in limited practices this week, but was never expected to play. He’s been out of action since Week 13. DeJuan Harris and Ryan Grant will handle the workload against the Vikings’ sturdy run D.

Packers RB James Starks (knee) put in a limited practice on Wednesday -- his first official action since early December.  The fact that the team hasn't placed him on IR means they expect him to play again this season.  But the Green Bay media doesn't believe Starks will play against the Vikings this weekend.  His return would only further muddy the Packers backfield.

As expected, Packers RB James Starks (knee) is inactive for tonight's game against the Lions.  He's reportedly dealing with a significant knee injury.  Alex Green will serve as Green Bay's lead back, with John Kuhn and Ryan Grant mixing in.

Packers insider Jason Wilde reports that RB James Starks' season could be over with a knee injury suffered in Sunday's game against the Vikings.  The team hasn't released any details, but Wilde's source says it's not an ACL injury and won't require surgery.  But it's a multi-week deal, and Green Bay might opt to place Starks on IR to free up a roster spot.  It's good news from a fantasy perspective.  There wasn't much value to be mined with Starks and Alex Green splitting carries.  But if Green gets the backfield to himself, he could ascend to low-end RB2 status.  He's averaging just 3.3 yards per carry this season but is coming off a 12-carry, 58-yard effort.  The Packers face top 10 RB defenses the next 2 weeks, but then get Tennessee's 28th-ranked unit in Week 16.

James Starks was Green Bay's clear-cut lead back against the Lions on Sunday.  He carried 25 times, while RB Alex Green didn't tote it once.  But Starks managed just 74 yards -- an ugly 2.96 yards-per-carry average.  HC Mike McCarthy was disappointed with the performance.  “As far as our running game, we left a lot of production on the field was my conclusion after going through the tape and going through the grading sessions with the coaches,” McCarthy said.  “And frankly, Alex Green not getting carries was a poor performance by myself managing how we were running the ball. We’ll continue forward working both James and Alex."  We heard similar sentiments from McCarthy about Green's performance earlier this season.  Both guys are clearly subpar NFL RBs.  Look for the Packers to go back to a committee attack, leaving Starks and Green as nothing more than low-end RB3 or flex options in fantasy.

Packers HC Mike McCarthy continues to endorse Alex Green as the team's lead back.  But on Monday, he added that RB James Starks "will probably be given more opportunities as we go through the week."  Green has been brutal the past 3 games, taking 64 carries for 154 yards -- an anemic 2.4 yards per carry.  We have to believe Green Bay will give Starks a shot sooner than later.  He's worth stashing in deeper leagues as we wait to find out.

Packers RB James Starks hasn't played yet this season.  He's dealt with turf toe dating back to August and has been a healthy scratch the past couple weeks.  But with RB Cedric Benson likely done for the year, Starks is back in Green Bay's backfield picture.  It sounds like the Packers plan on using a committee attack with Starks and Alex Green.  “We’ll see how the week of practice goes, but we feel confident that either guy can get the job done,” OC Tom Clements said. “I’m sure they’ll both get their opportunities.”  A RBBC on a pass-heavy offense obviously doesn't leave much fantasy value for either Green or Starks.

Packers RB James Starks (toe) is inactive for today’s game against New Orleans. Cedric Benson will continue to handle the load for Green Bay in a tantalizing matchup.

Packers RB James Starks (turf toe) put in a full week of practice.  He's listed as probable and is expected to make his 2012 debut against the Saints on Sunday.  Starks will operate as nothing more than a change-of-pace behind Cedric Benson though.  He's not a fantasy option.

Packers RB James Starks (turf toe) put in a full practice on Wednesday and might be ready to make his 2012 debut this weekend.  Starks has been sidelined since mid-August, watching RB Cedric Benson emerge as Green Bay's clear lead back.  The best-case for Starks now is a chance-of-pace role.  But he'll need to pass RB Alex Green for that job.  Starks remains off the fantasy radar for now.

Packers RB James Starks (turf toe) is listed as doubtful for Thursday night's game against the Bears.  He hasn't practiced since mid-August.  RB Cedric Benson will continue to serve as Green Bay's lead back.  He has an easier matchup on Thursday than he did when he managed just 18 yards against the 49ers in the opener.  But we're still not recommending Benson as a fantasy starter.

Packers RB James Starks (turf toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.  He's been sidelined since coming down with turf toe in mid-August.  Starks is off the fantasy radar at this point.  Cedric Benson will operate as the lead back in Week 1, with RBs Alex Green and Brandon Saine mixing in.  We don't like any of them against a stingy Niners run defense.

Packers RB James Starks remains sidelined with turf toe.  "Starks is coming along slow," HC Mike McCarthy said.  "Hasn't made a whole lot of progress."  The news isn't surpising -- turf toe is usually an injury that takes RBs a while to return from.  Starks has been out for over 2 weeks now.  He's fallen behind Cedric Benson and possibly Alex Green in the pecking order.  We've even heard whispers that Starks' roster spot could be in jeopardy.  He's essentially off the fantasy radar at this point.