ESPN's Chris Mortensen says the "expectation" is that Packers RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) will play against the Jets on Sunday.  HC Mike McCarthy said that Lacy is "near the end of the concussion protocol."  He still has a few days to receive clearance.  Lacy owners can pencil him into lineups for now but should still have a backup plan in place.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy (concussion) sat out practice on Wednesday. There’s optimism that Lacy will be cleared before Sunday, but it’s certainly not a given. If he’s out, James Starks will start against the Jets. He’d be just a low-end RB2/flex option in a brutal matchup.

Packers HC Mike McCarthy announced on Friday that RB Eddie Lacy has cleared the 1st step of the league's concussion protocol. Lacy reportedly felt "very good" on Friday. He still has a ways to go to get cleared for Week 2, but the extra few days he's getting before gives him a better chance of being ready in time.

Update: Pro Football Talk reports that Lacy is "optimistic" that he'll get cleared in time to play in Week 2, per a league source.  James Starks certainly still makes plenty of sense as a waiver claim in the meantime, but the news is encouraging for this 1st-round fantasy back.

Packers RT Bryan Bulaga has been diagnosed with a torn MCL.  There's no definitive timeline for his return yet, but he'll miss multiple weeks.  Bulaga will be replaced by Derek Sherrod, who was abused by the Seahawks on Thursday night.  Per Pro Football Focus, Sherrod allowed 2 sacks and 2 hurries on 42 snaps.  It's a real concern for the Packers, who face the tough defensive lines of the Jets, Lions and Bears the next 3 weeks.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy headed to the locker room in the 4th quarter of Thursday night's game to be evaluated for a concussion.  Remember that he missed a game early last year with a concussion.  We'll pass along an update when we get one.  The good news is that he has 10 days before Green Bay's 2nd game.

Update: HC Mike McCarthy confirmed after the game that Lacy suffered a concussion.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel highlights Packers RB Eddie Lacy as one of the top performers through the first week of training camp.  "Every day, Lacy has made big gainers," the Journal-Sentinel observes.  "He's running through arm tackles in the 'thud'-only, 11-on-11 segments of practice.  That is, when he isn't lowering his shoulders to ward off swarms of DBs or motoring into the clear and showing off his top-notch speed for a big man."  Anyone worrying about a sophomore slump for Lacy should stop.  This is a top-notch talent set to see a big workload in an elite offense.  Injury is the only thing standing between Lacy and a huge fantasy season.

The Packers are prepping RB Eddie Lacy for a “workhorse” role, per beat writer Pete Dougherty.  That term tends to get tossed around too much.  But there’s little doubt that Lacy will fit the description in 2014, especially with Johnathan Franklin (neck) out for the year.  "This is the NFL -- you're not going to play this game until you're 45 or 50," said new RB coach Sam Gash. "A lot of people, especially the media, try to make it out, 'He's got to last.' He'll last as long as he's meant to last.”  Gash went on to praise Lacy’s agility, balance and pass protection.  After handling 319 touches last year across 15 games, the 24-year-old is a serious candidate for 350 touches in 2014.  Lacy’s a clear-cut 1^st round pick in fantasy drafts.

The Packers want RB Eddie Lacy to be able to stay on the field longer this season so that they can increase their offensive tempo, according to insider Rob Demovsky.  That doesn't necessarily mean more carries, Demovsky cautions.  But it figures to mean more pass-catching opportunities.  Lacy was on the field for just 363 pass plays last year, well below other elite backs like Matt Forte (612), Jamaal Charles (535) and LeSean McCoy (495).  Lacy is certainly capable of improving on last year's 35-257-0 receiving line in 2014.

The Packers offense is looking to play faster in 2014. HC Mike McCarthy wants to run 75 plays per game. That’d easily lead the league and probably isn’t realistic. Denver ran an NFL-high 72 plays per game last year. Green Bay averaged 67 plays per game. But that number climbed to 69 in games QB Aaron Rodgers finished. "Aaron Rodgers is a beast the way he plays the game, the way he attacks the defense, whether it's his cadence, his ability to recognize defenses to take advantage of a certain pressure, and then on top of it he's so well-rehearsed in this offense," McCarthy said. “Playing faster” has become the overused buzz term over the past couple offseasons, but the Packers certainly have the personnel to make it happen. More plays would obviously mean more fantasy upside for Rodgers, RB Eddie Lacy and WRs Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy expects a healthy Aaron Rodgers to give him more running room this season.  "We have the greatest quarterback in the NFL, and with him being back there, it's not just like they'll be able to stack the box and focus on me," Lacy said.  "They have to play him, because if not, he's just going to kill them through the air. So I still think I have a bit of breathing room."  Lacy actually averaged just 3.8 yards per carry in 6 full games with Rodgers last season vs. 4.4 yards per carry without A-Rodg.  We wouldn't put too much stock into that, though.  It's a small sample size, and the majority of Lacy’s games with Rodgers came early in the season when the rookie was adjusting to the NFL.  We're fully expecting Lacy to be more efficient in 2014 and improve upon last year's 4.1 yards per carry.

The Packers offense has revolved around QB Aaron Rodgers for the past 6 years.  But now that they have a bona fide feature back in Eddie Lacy, the team is aiming for a more balanced offense in 2014.  "You don’t want to be one-dimensional one way or the other," HC Mike McCarthy said.  "We’ve lived that life where we were heavy one-dimensional throwing it, and you’d like to have balance. It makes it easier, puts a little less stress on your quarterback, your best player.”  Lacy certainly won't hurt for touches in 2014.  Rodgers will remain the centerpiece of the offense, though.  And even if his pass attempts decrease, improved efficiency will keep him among fantasy's elite.  Green Bay's offense figures to be a fountain of fantasy points again in 2014.

The Packers have re-signed RB James Starks to a 2-year deal.  Starks' lengthy injury history cooled his market, but he averaged a juicy 5.5 yards per carry as Eddie Lacy's backup last year.  Starks will battle for #2 RB duties this summer with DuJuan Harris and Johnathan Franklin.

ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde reports that Packers HC Mike McCarthy said he wants RB Eddie Lacy to be "a three-down player."  That's no surprise after Lacy logged 284 carries and 35 receptions in a 15-game rookie season, but it's certainly nice to hear.  Lacy ranked among the top 8 fantasy backs across formats in his 1st year, and we expect more big numbers from the big guy.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy (ankle) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the 49ers.  He practiced all 3 days this week for the first time since originally injuring that ankle on December 8th.  Lacy is a strong bet for 15+ carries this weekend.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy (ankle) is probable for Sunday's game against the Bears.  He only put in a limited practice on Friday, but HC Mike McCarthy confirmed that he's "confident Eddie will be ready to go."  He's an elite fantasy play against Chicago's 31st-ranked RB defense.

Packers HC Mike McCarthy confirmed that RB Eddie Lacy (ankle) is on track to play against the Bears on Sunday.  The rookie sat out Thursday's practice but is expected to take his normal reps on Friday.  QB Aaron Rodgers' return will probably mean fewer carries for Lacy, but it'll also mean more running room and more red-zone trips.  He's a must-start against Chicago's 31st-ranked RB defense.

Packers HC Mike McCarthy admitted that RB Eddie Lacy was "sore" on Monday.  He aggravated his sprained ankle in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game against the Steelers and did not return.  McCarthy suggested that Lacy will try to practice on Thursday.  Consider him 50-50 for this weekend's game against the Bears.  RB James Starks will be a strong fantasy play if Lacy sits.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy reinjured his bum ankle near the end of the 3rd quarter of Sunday's game.  He gingerly limped off the field before taking a seat on the bench.  We'll see if he's able to re-enter.

Weather will be a factor in today's Steelers-Packers game.  The forecast calls for snow throughout the day with winds at 12 mph at kickoff.  It's just another reason for the Packers to pound RB Eddie Lacy.  We nudged QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown down our Week 16 Rankings, although Pittsburgh's short passing game should be fine.

Packers RB Eddie Lacy (ankle) is active for today’s game against the Cowboys.  He reportedly looked good in Friday’s practice and should be ready for a full workload.  The chance of an in-game aggravation adds risk, but the matchup against the league’s worst RB defense gives Lacy too much upside to bench in fantasy.