The Facts: Green Bay Packers running back Brandon Saine suffered a serious injury to his right knee while covering a kickoff in the third quarter of the team's 42-24 win over the Houston Texans. Saine was on crutches with his knee heavily wrapped after the game. Coach Mike McCarthy called Saine's injury "serious" and speculation is the second-year back could be lost for the season. Saine has played exclusively on special teams in the first six games of 2012. While Cedric Benson eligible to return off injured reserve late in the season, the loss of Saine leaves the Packers with Alex Green, James Starks and John Kuhn at running back.
Diehards Line:Green Bay's running back by committee is getting smaller by the week, and the loss of Saine thwarts the team's plans to take a closer look at the young talent at the position, including Saine. He figured to be in the mix for carries at some point, especially with the injury histories of James Starks and Alex Green. Unless the Packers hit the free agent or trade market, expect Green and Starks to carry the load, along with a dose of touchdown vulture John Kuhn.