GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers running back James Starks underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee and will likely miss several weeks, according to Fox Sports.
He had been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. The veteran backup reported some pain in his knee after a workout Tuesday.
Starks spent most of the past week out of town to attend his grandmother's funeral.
The injury leaves the Packers in a difficult spot, considering that Eddie Lacy has a left ankle injury that prevented him from finishing last Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Lacy was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report after practicing on a limited basis this week, and his status did not change Saturday.
"Eddie did well [in practice] with his limited work," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Friday. "We're making progress. So hopefully we'll continue to make progress."
McCarthy also could use receivers Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery out of the backfield, if necessary. They have combined for seven carries this season, and Cobb said this week that it's possible he and Montgomery need to be on high alert for additional rushing duty.
The Packers on Saturday activated defensive end Mike Pennel and cornerback Demetri Goodson off the suspended list. The Packers had an open roster spot after they released quarterback Joe Callahan on Thursday, and the other spot was created by releasing DT Brian Price, who likely will be added to the practice squad if he is unclaimed off waivers.