Eddie Lacy, Clay Matthews practicing
Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Benson Mayowa (95) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy owners should have full confidence playing Green Bay Packers RB Eddie Lacy this week, and Packers star pass rusher Clay Matthews was also able to practice today. According to ESPN Wisconsin’s Jason Wilde, Eddie Lacy was once again practicing today, and he has participated in practice all week. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein reported that Clay Matthews is also back at practice, and star slot cornerback Casey Hayward was spotted in pads doing individual drills.
Eddie Lacy is going to be a full-go for Sunday’s rivalry matchup against the Detroit Lions, and he should have a big day. While fullback John Kuhn is also back in the fold and could steal a couple of carries, Lacy’s biggest threat in the backfield is fellow rookie Johnathan Franklin. An afterthought after an awful preseason, the former UCLA star emerged with a monster game in the Week 3 losing effort, as he was excellent filling in for James Starks, who was injured during the game. Starks has been ruled out for this week’s game and was predictably not practicing, and it was Starks who had a big game in relief for Lacy when the Alabama product was concussed in Week 2.
The Green Bay Packer wisely allowed Lacy to have a week of rest against the Bengals, and the added rest on the bye week has certainly helped him. There was no question that Lacy would play against the Lions, and there is still no question regarding his status following today’s practice. While Franklin did well enough to merit some touches, Eddie Lacy is still the Packers feature back and is clearly worth starting in standard fantasy leagues.
Clay Matthews is back at practice, and he is presumably practicing in full after being very limited yesterday with a hamstring injury he suffered before the by week against the Bengals. While Matthews’s status was less than certain coming into today, I would think that he is a full-go against the Lions. He’s too good not to play in a rivalry game, and he even said that he will be playing. Matthews isn’t a lock to play this week, but I think he is very close to that “certain” status at this point.
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