Can the Packers Overcome Ryan Grant's Season Ending Injury?

Before the season, the Green Bay Packers were a hot pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. After the week one road victory at Philadelphia, the Packers remain at the top of many predictions to go deep in the playoffs. If the Packers are going to fulfill the lofty expectations set for them, they are going to have to do it without their starting running back Ryan Grant who was placed on season ending IR this week. Grant's season barely got started when an awkward tackle in the second quarter made every Packers fan hold their breath. Seeing Grant limp off the field with a severely sprained ankle that required season ending surgery, made me immediately start to question whether or not the Packers have enough firepower at the running back position to fill Grant's void. The Packers have only two running backs on their roster and decided to keep three fullbacks including John Kuhn as an emergency backup running back. Well it is now a full blown emergency.

With Grant out, the Packers have to find a way to replace a running back with the fourth most yards in the entire NFL in the past two years. Brandon Jackson becomes the starter with no starting experience and fullback John Kuhn as the only backup available. The Packers signed Dimitri Nance off the Atlanta Falcons practice squad who is an undrafted rookie out of Arizona State University. Nance is an emergency backup with no NFL carries to his name.

General Manager Ted Thompson likes to work from within and develop players but in this case, I think it is necessary to go elsewhere and find help. The Packers still have one of, if not the most potent passing attacks in the NFL, but unless they can develop a decent running game, it makes the offense that much more predictable. The Packers will no longer be able to rely on play action pass if they cannot find a suitable replacement for Grant. Hopefully Brandon Jackson can fill Grant's void and if you read any of the comments made by head coach Mike McCarthy it sounds like the Packers are content with Jackson as the starter. If not, some of the expectations for this team need to be lowered because although the NFL is a pass dominated league, it is extremely difficult to win without the presence of a respected running game.