DENVER — If nothing else, it looks like the Green Bay Packers found their workhorse running back.
The caveat is that it came against the NFL's worst rushing defense.
After rookie starter DeShawn Wynn left the game with a shoulder injury early in the second quarter on the Packers' first running play of the game, the Ryan Grant show began.
The running back the Packers acquired in a trade from the New York Giants on the day of the final cuts in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick won himself the starting job with his 22-carry, 104-yard performance in Monday's 19-13 overtime win over the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High.
In what easily was the most complete showing by a Packers' running back this season, Grant became the team's first back to put together a 100-yard rushing game since Ahman Green ran for 102 yards against the New York Jets on Dec. 3, 2006.
"We always believed that he was a strong, one-cut runner, and I think he proved that (Monday)," Packers personnel analyst John Schneider said. "He ran the ball hard, and he's a tough guy who's been waiting for an opportunity. He got his opportunity."
It looks as though it may be the first of many chances for Grant. Coach Mike McCarthy, who is usually coy about lineup changes, pronounced Grant the starter.
"I think it's safe to say Ryan Grant will be the starter when we go to Kansas City (on Sunday)," McCarthy said.