Do you want to see Eddie Lacy play Monday?

[mraynrand]

If Stubby is playing for those three games in Jan, he'd let Lacy heal up.

[Patler]

What's so special about Lacy that he should play only if he is 100%? The guards played last year when they could hardly walk during the week. Rodgers played when just as bad. Tramon Williams played two years with a bad wing. The list is long.

[mraynrand]

What's so special about Lacy that he should play only if he is 100%? The guards played last year when they could hardly walk during the week. Rodgers played when just as bad. Tramon Williams played two years with a bad wing. The list is long.

It's not a decision made in a vacuum. Can you win without him? Is he hurt so much that he hurts the team instead of helping? Will he be injured further and for longer? Every player should get that same evaluation, as I'm sure you agree.

In this case, I think all three point towards sitting out, but McCarthy may make different judgments based on what his game plan looks like (does he think that he needs Lacy to smash against that defense).

[Patler]

Most of the decisions are medical, to be made by the medical staff. If they clear him, I see no reason for the head coach to override their decision.
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[Harlan Huckleby]

What's so special about Lacy that he should play only if he is 100%? The guards played last year when they could hardly walk during the week. Rodgers played when just as bad. Tramon Williams played two years with a bad wing. The list is long.

My rule is that it very difficult for DBs and RBs to play with leg injuries. An RB is dead if he can't change direction and run with power. A DB has to respond to the WRs. Other injuries or other positions, the guys can sometimes function in modified way.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Most of the decisions are medical, to be made by the medical staff. If they clear him, I see no reason for the head coach to override their decision.
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While he may end up technically cleared to play, I could see MM holding him back for a week if he's not fully satisfied that Lacy is far enough along to play effectively. I'm sure he's also concerned that he doesn't want this to be a lingering issue and could elect to sit him to be sure it's not an issue.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Most of the decisions are medical, to be made by the medical staff.

If a drunk wide receiver puts his hand in a wood chipper - it could happen - the ER could probably cauterize the stump, and the medical staff clear him to play.
The coaching staff might come to a different conclusion about the player's game status.

[NewsBruin]

That Kuhn kid can finally get his chance to break out.

Sit Lacey if we can win this game without him.

[sharpe1027]

That Kuhn kid can finally get his chance to break out.

Sit Lacey if we can win this game without him.

Did he even get a single touch with Lacey out for much of last game? This reminds me of Driver's last year.

[Joemailman]

My rule is that it very difficult for DBs and RBs to play with leg injuries. An RB is dead if he can't change direction and run with power. A DB has to respond to the WRs. Other injuries or other positions, the guys can sometimes function in modified way.

I think people are missing the connection between Lacy being able to do the things a running back must be able to do, and being cleared to play. If Lacy can't change direction and run with power, he won't be cleared to play.

[RashanGary]

I change my mind. Play lacy. It sends a message to the team that we want to win and are willing to do whatever it takes.

[King Friday]

What's so special about Lacy that he should play only if he is 100%? The guards played last year when they could hardly walk during the week. Rodgers played when just as bad. Tramon Williams played two years with a bad wing. The list is long.

The dropoff to the replacement is the key. The dropoff from Lang and Sitton to their backups is ENORMOUS. I'd rather have Sitton in there at 70% than any of our backup guards. The dropoff from Lacy to Starks is minimal. Why play Lacy at 70% when Starks at 100% is in actuality a BETTER option?

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think people are missing the connection between Lacy being able to do the things a running back must be able to do, and being cleared to play. If Lacy can't change direction and run with power, he won't be cleared to play.

No, the medical staff clears a player as safe (enough) to play, and they don't look at requirements of the position. That's the coaches' evaluation.

disclaimer: I think we are both guessing at exactly how things work. But I can't see a doctor doing more than estimating chance of re-injury. We've seen plenty of hobbled NFL wide receivers thrown out there who only can function as decoys.