Sort of. Whatever edge Benson might have had in learning the playbook over 5 weeks was offset by lack of game conditioning...no camp, 1/2 of a preseason, 10 preseason carries. Unless a TB is immersed in the passing game, the learning curve is not that steep, especially in this offense...the run call repertoire is pretty limited. A guy like Jackson is in game condition, and he's a vet...he could be up and going in a couple of weeks.
Besides, when Starks carried the load in the 2010 playoff run he had a tenuous grasp of the playbook by all accounts. Probably still does...assignment-sure is not a characteristic anybody has attributed to Mr. Shields, particularly his head coach. But he has shown in the past the ability to run the d*mn ball, and I for one would like to see if he can again. MM seems reluctant to give it to him, despite his comments over the last 3 weeks that he would. I'm not holding my breath.
The point being, waiting around until Dec. for Benson ASSUMES we'll have made the playoffs without him. 8 more games with Green is cutting it thin. And there is no guarantee Benson will be back on schedule...it seems the Packers public estimates on injuries are best case (should I say "glass half full"?) scenarios that frequently do not pan out.
We need a plan B.