When rookie running back Eddie Lacy left Sunday’s 38-20 victory over

James Starks

James Starks

Washington in the first quarter with a concussion, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy didn’t hesitate to call on James Starks to take over.

Starks didn’t disappoint his head coach either.  He ran the ball 20 times for a career high 132 yards and a touchdown to become the first Packers player to rush for 100 yards in a regular-season game in nearly three years.  It had been 44 regular-season games.  It was also Starks most productive day since he rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries as a rookie against Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.

The carry that put Starks over the 100-yard mark was a 32-year touchdown scamper with less than three minutes left in the third quarter.

AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on running back James Starks :17

AUDIO: Aaron Rodgers says it’s great to see Starks have a big day :24

Starks entered the game after Washington safety Brandon Meriweather hit Eddie Lacy with the crown of his helmet, causing Lacy to receive a concussion.

Later, it was Meriweather who tried to tackle Starks while leading with the crown of his helmet.  But Meriweather wound up injuring himself, suffering a concussion of his own, which forced him out of the game.

The Packers have repeatedly heard about their lack of rushing success and the fact that they’ve operated for such a long time without a 100-yard rushing performance.  The monkey is now off their back.  We’ll see if it leads to more rushing success down the road.

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