Lacy, Harris missed curfew Wednesday in Detroit

Green Bay Packers running backs Eddie Lacy and Alonzo Harris saw their status with the team change after missing curfew Wednesday night in Detroit, a source confirmed Friday to Press-Gazette Media.

Lacy played only 19 snaps and had five carries in the Packers’ 27-23 win over the Lions. Harris, an undrafted rookie, was released Thursday afternoon. He is not expected to rejoin the Packers, even as a member of the team’s practice squad.

ESPN was first to report Lacy and Harris missed curfew.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy left open the possibility Lacy was punished Thursday night, saying Friday his reduced role “could be” for disciplinary reasons. Lacy’s 19 snaps were fewer than Starks’ 35 and fullback John Kuhn’s 21.

Lacy finished with four yards on five carries. John Crockett, signed to the active roster Thursday to replace Harris, led all Packers tailbacks with 22 yards on five carries.

“Nothing happened last week with Eddie,” McCarthy said. “Leading up to the game, frankly, there’s an internal football decision that was made. That’s what resulted in Eddie’s reps.

“Those things we don’t discuss in here anyway. It’s something that we handled internally, and that was the outcome.”

It’s yet another setback in what has become a nightmarish third season for the Packers’ star tailback. Before Detroit, Lacy had rushed for 100 yards in consecutive games for the first time in his career. He finally had momentum after overcoming multiple injuries and rushing for just 312 yards in his first eight games.

In Ford Field’s visiting locker room Thursday night, Lacy said he expected his snaps to be reduced against the Lions. He would not expound on the reason he had less playing time.

“I don’t feel as though that’s something I should get into yet,” Lacy said.

As important as Lacy has been to the Packers’ offense, he isn’t irreplaceable. That’s the message McCarthy sent to his star tailback Thursday. Lacy said he it was difficult to watch most of the game, but he tried to be supportive. Of Crockett’s production, Lacy said, “It’s dope.”

As for Lacy’s recent increase in production, McCarthy said his running back could always do more.

“He needs to build off his preparation,” McCarthy said. “He’s put up some yards in the prior games, but he can be better."

Following Harris' release, the Packers worked out former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball on Friday, an NFL source confirmed. Ball has gone unsigned since Denver released him during final cuts, but is eligible for the practice squad under the veteran exemption designation.

rwood@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ByRyanWood