Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that he thought Daryl Richardson "would probably take the first snap against Arizona," effectively naming him the starting back. But he had an interesting take on the race to back up Richardson.
"As far as who’s going to come in (second), that remains to be seen," Fisher said. "We still have some more evaluating to do. ... It's consistency, and it's not just the game. It's consistency on the practice field, understanding, first and foremost, probably how to play without the football. For us, that's more important than how he plays with the football. By that I mean, is getting to the right place in the passing game? Is he proficient, and does he know exactly what to do in protection? Once you get that down, then we'll evaluate the run skills."
Isaiah Pead and rookie Zac Stacy are competing for the spot. Pead underwhelmed in the Rams' second preseason game and fumbled the ball away in the first. He's also suspended for the team's Week 1 game against the Cardinals. Stacy averaged 3.3 yards over seven attempts in the Rams' first preseason action but missed the second game with a leg injury.
Pead had every opportunity to close the door on Stacy last week and didn't do it. If he doesn't do it against the Broncos on Saturday then Stacy -- or perhaps another back on the roster -- could leapfrog him. Whoever helps Richardson with the rushing workload is worth a late pick in Fantasy drafts.