John Kuhn Fantasy News

Friday, May 11, 2012, 3:39pm

More than six months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Green Bay Packers running back Alex Green is running four days a week. He recently met with the team's physician, Dr. Pat McKenzie, who is hopeful Green will be ready for training camp. Green has stayed ahead of schedule all off-season.

With Ryan Grant’s future still in limbo, that's key. Late July remains Green's target.

“My speed is picking up daily,” Green said Thursday. “Every day, I’m running at a faster pace. It’s going pretty good right now. I’m definitely excited with where I’m at.”

Green was just starting to find his place within the Packers’ offense when he tore the ACL in his left knee Oct. 23 at Minnesota while blocking on a kick return. Two weeks prior, he caught a third-down pass at Atlanta. And, most importantly, his comfort level in the scheme was high. Coaches like his vision and ability to maneuver in space.

Thursday, February 2, 2012, 5:45pm

Packers RB Ryan Grant will test free agency, and he is unlikely to return unless there's little interest on the open market.

James Starks practices, status uncertain
Friday, December 16, 2011, 7:03pm

Running back James Starks (ankle) was back at practice Friday. The second-year back participated in some drills but appeared limited. With Brandon Saine (concussion) also still out, there's a good chance the team enters Sunday's game at Kansas City with only two healthy running backs.

After missing the Packers' 46-16 win over Oakland last weekend, Starks has sat out of practice up to this point. His status remains uncertain. Coach Mike McCarthy will address the media shortly. Green Bay finished its game against the Raiders with only Ryan Grant and John Kuhn available in the backfield. The duo combined for 131 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns.

Ryan Grant officially inactive for Packers
Sunday, October 2, 2011, 7:09pm

Packers Inactives
Bryan Bulaga OT
Nick Collins FS
Ryan Grant RB
Brad Jones LB
Mike Neal DE
Frank Zombo LB

Saturday, October 1, 2011, 12:36pm

On Friday, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy indicated fullback John Kuhn would see more touches against the Denver Broncos with starter Ryan Grant out.

"We’ll see how the game goes," McCarthy said. "Our primary rotation will be with James Starks and John Kuhn, and Alex (Green) will get in there at some point."

When Grant went down for the season a year ago, Kuhn slid back to tailback and helped keep the rushing game afloat. He ran for 281 yards on 84 carries with four touchdowns, helping ice one win against the Detroit Lions late. To date this year, Kuhn has punched in two touchdowns on three carries.

The Packers re-signed the 250-pounder to a $7.5 million contract for these scenarios - he can play multiple spots.

Packers don't think Ryan Grant will be ready for Week 4
Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 7:51pm

Packers HC Mike McCarthy believes that Ryan Grant (bruised kidney) "will be pressed to play" in Week 4, meaning that the running back is likely to sit out.

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 11:30am

In week one, Ryan Grant was Green Bay's starting running back against New Orleans. But after two series, it became the James Starks show.

The Packers decided before the game that Starks would play in most spread formations. That's the main reason why Starks finished with 45 snaps compared with Grant's 16. Starks carried 12 times, Grant carried nine.

All of John Kuhn's 21 snaps came at fullback in two-back sets. Rookie Alex Green didn't play from scrimmage.

Green Bay running backs coach Jerry Fontenot said Starks got the nod over Grant in spread sets because of "his ability to run in space" and "his ability to digest what the defense is giving us and being able to pass protect."

Although Starks gave up a fourth-quarter sack, Fontenot said that it probably was fair to say that he was more dependable in protection than Grant at this point. Starks' edge in protection isn't reading defenses but actually blocking a rusher, Fontenot said.

Fontenot said he wasn't sure how playing time would be divided Sunday in Carolina.

McCarthy: James Starks "didn't have the attempts that he deserved"
Friday, September 9, 2011, 2:57pm

Running backs coach Jerry Fontenot said he would split the carries between his two running backs.

At first that didn't even look possible. With Rodgers completing 14 of his first 15 passes, the Packers had to go with the hot hand.

But by the half, the James Starks had five carries, 30 yards and one big touchdown; Ryan Grant had five carries, 26 yards.

"James did well, probably didn't have the attempts that he deserved," said McCarthy.

In the end, even with the clear aerial attack, the Packers managed 102 rushing yards by the backs: 57 for Starks, 40 for Grant and 5 for John Kuhn.

"It's a true test to how well the line is blocking," said Starks. "Plus the receivers, tight ends - it was a total team effort."

Sunday, July 31, 2011, 11:40pm

A cult hero is returning to Green Bay - the Packers have re-signed running back John Kuhn.

Friday, January 21, 2011, 3:00pm

Packers NT B.J. Raji’s one play as a goal-line fullback last week at Atlanta worked well enough to think the Packers will consider using it again.

Coach Mike McCarthy lined up the 337-lb. nose tackle as one of three backs when the Packers faced a second-and-goal from the Falcons’ 1 in the second quarter. Raji and Quinn Johnson lined up as fullbacks, and John Kuhn as halfback. Offensive lineman T.J. Lang also was in the game as a tight end.

Raji was the lead blocker for Kuhn, who took the hand-off up the middle and scored easily behind him.

“That just came up last week,” McCarthy said. “Some of the things that we were doing with our inside run game, and our goal-line package, we wanted to improve it, wanted to add a wrinkle to it and just going off of game planning.