GREEN BAY, Wis. _ Running back James Starks is in the concussion protocol after being in a car crash Monday, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.
Other than saying Starks was "OK" otherwise, McCarthy did not provide any details.
A Green Bay police department spokesman confirmed the accident occurred in Green Bay, but said the police report was not ready to be released.
Starks played seven snaps against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and when he showed up on the injury report Wednesday with a concussion, it was assumed he suffered it during the game.
Under the NFL's concussion protocol, Starks can't play in a game until he goes through several recovery stages and lastly is cleared by an independent neurologist.
Assuming Starks doesn't play Sunday against Chicago, Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael will have to split most of the carries. Only Michael was also absent from practice due to an illness that has been going around the locker room. It would seem likely that Michael would be ready to play by Sunday, but if not fullback Aaron Ripkowski would have to fill in.
Whatever the case, Montgomery, a converted wide receiver, would be the lead back. The most he has carried in any game this year is nine times.
Asked if the 6-foot, 200-pound Montgomery could carry 20 times if the Packers needed him to, McCarthy said he would think so.
"That's a question you really grow into," McCarthy said. "He's definitely a durable player. You look at just the way he's built. The fact of the matter is he returns kickoffs, too. I think that tells you what we think about his ability to run up in there.
"We'll see how it goes this week, but, yes, I have confidence he can get to that number if he had to."
Michael will be playing in his fourth game since being acquired off waivers from Seattle. He carried a season-high 10 times for 36 yards against his former teammates.
Montgomery leads the team's running back in average yards per rush at 5.2.
