Team news: New York Jets | Page 72

The Green Bay Packers got some good news for their offense on Sunday, but bad news for their defense.

The day before Monday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Packers upgraded the status of running back Eddie Lacy and receiver Davante Adams, both with ankle injuries, to probable.

They were originally listed as questionable Sunday. Great news for owners who were struggling with starting either player on Monday night. Both appear to be good to go against the Chiefs.

CHIEFS at PACKERS
CHIEFS
PROBABLE
G Jeff Allen (knee), T Eric Fisher (ankle), TE Demetrius Harris (foot), LB Joshua Mauga (achilles), T Donald Stephenson (ankle), WR De'Anthony Thomas (calf), RB Charcandrick West (achilles), WR Albert Wilson (shoulder)

PACKERS (Green Bay did not practice on Saturday. The Saturday practice report is an estimation.)
OUT
T Bryan Bulaga (knee), CB Demetri Goodson (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE
WR Davante Adams (ankle), S Morgan Burnett (calf), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), LB Mike Neal (groin), S Sean Richardson (ankle), RB Aaron Ripkowski (shoulder)

PROBABLE
WR Randall Cobb (shoulder)

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said via NFL.com: "I thought Eddie did some good things in his limited reps. Monday night game, so we have a lot of time left. I feel good about treatment today, light practice tomorrow and obviously all day Monday. I think Eddie and Davante are both progressing."

James Starks carried 20 times for 95 rushing yards and earned four receptions for 11 receiving yards. Starks will get the bulk of the workload if Lacy can't go. The ideal situation is if owners have both backs and can make a last-minute switch.

Adams played through his injury during last Sunday's victory. If the second-year player is hindered at all it should open up the door for rookie Ty Montgomery to play an even larger roll in the Packers' offense after catching four balls for 37 yards in Week 2. Montgomery could be in line for the bevy of receiver screens that generally would go Adams' way, NFL.com said.

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Cowboys have acquired quarterback Matt Cassel from Buffalo with Tony Romo sidelined at least seven games because of a broken left collarbone.

Other terms of the trade Tuesday weren't immediately available. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced.

Cassell has 71 starts in 90 games over 11 seasons, not counting the opener this year when he took the first snap for the Bills with Tyrod Taylor lined up at receiver.

Brandon Weeden is expected to start Sunday at home against Arizona, but Cassel is a veteran with far more experience than the fourth-year pro. Before the trade, owner Jerry Jones said on his radio show that Weeden was his starter. The Cowboys appear to be all-in despite being banged up on the offensive side of the ball. The NFC East is looking weak and Dallas' two wins at this point in the season look pretty big.

The Packers are dealing with ankle injuries to two of their top playmakers, but not playing until next Monday night could help the team have running back Eddie Lacy and Davante Adams available against the Chiefs.

On Monday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team won’t practice again until Thursday because of the extra day, and only when he sees Adams and Lacy try to give it a go will he know more about their status for the next game. That’s an indication the team doesn’t believe either suffered a serious injury, as was reported Monday by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“I think any time you have ankle injuries, particularly with the perimeter players, until they get out there and hit the practice field, we really won’t know,” McCarthy said.

Adams returned to the game against the Seahawks Sunday night but Lacy was injured in the first half and didn't return. Lacy couldn't put pressure on his retaped ankle, but news Monday indicated there's a chance he can go for Week 3. While the extra rest could do both players good, for fantasy owners, they will need to have a backup plan heading into this week if they plan on using either Adams or Lacy. James Starks would make a great add for any Lacy owner.

The Packers don't plan to go without Eddie Lacy for long.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Green Bay's hard-charging running back, who sprained his ankle Sunday against the Seahawks, is a candidate to play Sept. 28 at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rapoport was told that Lacy's injury is minor, even if it kept him from finishing off a 27-17 win over Seattle. In his absence, reliable backup James Starks plowed for 95 yards inside a scheme that also saw superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers throw for 249 yards against the holdout-riddled Legion of Boom.

Lacy's injury was never thought to be serious, but his importance to this top-flight offense cannot be understated.

Lacy was carted off and had his ankle retaped but apparently couldn't put pressure on it. The Week 3 game is Monday night so owners will need a backup plan. Backing up Lacy with Starks would be a real nice solution, but it's good news that Lacy's status already looks positive.