Ryan Grant gets chance to step forward with James Starks out

James Starks will miss Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders at Lambeau Field, giving Ryan Grant a chance to showcase himself as the regular season winds to a close.

Starks is sidelined with an ankle injury and Grant, who had a big game against the Chicago Bears but hasn’t had a lot of other production, will be in the spotlight.

As Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette notes, Grant is in the final year of his contract and at 29 he has a chance to showcase himself for 2012.

I think it’s an opportunity no matter what,” Grant said, according to Demovsky. “Take it how you want, for real. It’s an opportunity to be productive on a lot of levels.”

Grant took a $1 million pay cut to return to the Packers this season, and once again the offense is based on the passing game. Grant has 316 yards on the ground this season. Starks leads the team with 566.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for myself to just get back in a rhythm, for the backfield, I think we’re going to get some opportunities this week,” Grant said. “But I do think individually I have set a standard for myself and what I’m trying to do.”

The Raiders have struggled stopping the run this season and rank 28th in the NFL. But the Packers throw the ball first. We’ll see how this shakes out for Grant.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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