James Starks

The return of Packers running back James Starks may be near.

Despite the emergence of first-year running back DuJuan Harris, who has moved into the lead back role, there is still a place for Starks if he can show that he's completely recovered from a knee bruise suffered Dec. 2.

Starks was the back who came onto the scene in the playoffs two years ago and played an integral part of the team's run to a Super Bowl XLV title. Whether he's ready to join Harris in a shared role won't be known until practice tape is evaluated at the end of this week.

Alex Green remains mostly out of the mix even though he doesn't have an injury. His surgically repaired knee has worn down toward the end of the season, and the coaches feel he hasn't looked as explosive as earlier in the season.