Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy made a nightmare a reality for fantasy football owners across the world Thursday night, as he was inexplicably benched to start the game and finished with just five carries for four yards. Coming off back-to-back 100-yard performances, Lacy was nothing more than an afterthought.
Perhaps Packers coach Mike McCarthy can explain why Lacy took a back seat to both James Starks and undrafted free agent John Crockett, who was promoted from the practice squad just hours before Green Bay’s win over the Lions.
“Eddie didn’t have a great week, so we went with James,” McCarthy said, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. “The idea was to come in there with a one-two punch. What can I say about Crockett? He’s a guy that’s just been working super-hard and we felt like he deserved an opportunity. The initiative was more for special teams, but as we got going in the game and the things that were happening in the game and with his running style, I decided to stick him in there and he gave us a big spark. I think you see the way his teammates react to him and just the energy that he brings. So it was a good jolt for us.”
Lacy was left puzzled. When asked where he currently stands with the coaching staff, the former Alabama star had no answer.
“Man, that’s something I don’t know about,” he said. “We’ll see as the season goes on.”
The worst part for Lacy (and his fantasy owners) might be that the Packers pulled off the win, albeit on one of the most incredible endings you will ever see. Had Green Bay lost, reporters may have been critical of McCarthy for sticking Lacy in the doghouse. Unfortunately for Fat Eddie, it’s hard to argue with results.
