"The days of just one halfback carrying the load for the Green Bay Packers appear to be over.

While Packers coach Mike McCarthy isn't ready to name a starter, he has a pretty good idea how his runners will be utilized this season.

When asked Saturday night if he hopes to use a tandem backfield, McCarthy replied: "I hope so. It's a long season, 16 games, carrying the ball 20 to 25 times a game, that's a lot for one individual to go through. I hope to be spreading the ball around at every position, that's my goal."

What that likely means is that Ryan Grant and James Starks will be sharing the load this season.

It's a far cry from the way Grant was used in 2008 and 2009, when he was the Packers' workhorse. Grant averaged 19.5 carries per game in 2008, which was 83% of the total among running backs. He averaged 17.6 carries in 2009, or 75% of the total for backs.

But Grant's days as the Packers' go-to rusher likely ended when he broke his ankle and was lost for the season in Week 1 in 2010.

Grant said he feels good and is back to full health but in his absence last year the Packers developed Starks, who carried the load during the team's run to the Super Bowl title."