Packers RB Eddie Lacy needs ankle surgery, headed to injured reserve

— -- Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy needs ankle surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Thursday.

Lacy was one of seven players ruled out of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. A source told ESPN's Rob Demovsky that the expectation is that Lacy will be able to return late in the season, assuming surgery goes as expected, so the Packers likely will use the designated-to-return classification on him when the time is right.

It that's the case, it would mean the Packers couldn't bring back cornerback Sam Shields, who also was placed on injured reserve this week.

Lacy, who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in 2016, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

He was the only active halfback for the Packers in their 30-16 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday. He was playing with a sprained left ankle and was held to just 65 yards on 17 carries.

With both Lacy and backup James Starks, who had knee surgery earlier this week, unavailable for Thursday's game, the Packers traded a conditional late-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs?for running back Knile Davis?on Tuesday.

The Packers also will promote rookie running back Don Jackson from the practice squad for Thursday night, a source told ESPN. The plan is for Jackson to be active so the Packers are not left with just one natural halfback, as they were against the Cowboys.