NFL Player News

Rams running back Daryl Richardson made it through all of Week 4's game against the 49ers Thursday, but that did not do much for his production. One week after playing just one snap due to a foot injury, Richardson finished with just 20 total yards in a 35-11 loss.

Richardson rushed the ball 12 times for just 16 yards, as he struggled to get free. He also had just one reception for 8 yards on one target.

Richardson has really struggled to get going this season, with just 114 yards on 42 carries through parts of four games. He could have a little more success in Week 5, as the Rams host the Jaguars. 

Late Thursday the Rams announced running back Isaiah Pead was inactive for Week 4 vs. the Niners. Pead wasn't on the injury report so it was assumed he was a healthy scratch. 

Pead's out and Zac Stacy is in. 

We've seen Daryl Richardson play -- he's a nice passing downs back but he doesn't have the look of a full-time starter. Undrafted running back Benny Cunningham is a thick, physical back but he has looked slow. Stacy was a heady, versatile rusher in college but couldn't quite make it translate in the preseason and became a forgotten man. 

Until tonight -- maybe. 

I don't mind cutting Pead before kickoff to claim Stacy off waivers. What's the harm? Pead wasn't doing much for you anyway. If we guess wrong and Cunningham gets a chance, then we make a move on waivers for him next week. But we've seen Cunningham and would roll the dice on Stacy clogging a roster spot for a weekend. I wouldn't drop someone with some good long-term value for him but if you've got nothin', give Stacy a whirl. 

As for Richardson -- I think he'll probably see a little bump in playing time but still wouldn't call him anything more than a Flex for Week 4. 

Rams running back Isaiah Pead was a surprise inactive for Week 4 against the 49ers Thursday, as he has not been dealing with an injury. At this point, there is no reason given for Pead's status, after appearing in each of the previous two games.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson is active and in uniform for Thursday's game against the 49ers, after being limited by a foot injury during practice at times this week. Richardson dealt with the injury last week, playing just one snap before coming out of the game. 

It shouldn't matter to Fantasy owners that Ronnie Hillman boasts the best per-rush average for the Broncos. He's averaging just 4.7 carries per game. That makes him a no-go in any format Sunday against Philadelphia.

Hillman has just 14 carries for 84 yards for a fine 6.0 average with one touchdown. But he has fewer than half the number of attempts as backfield mates Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball with no promise of an upgrade. He also has just just three receptions for 39 yards.

It would be wise to monitor the running back situation in Denver to detect a trend toward one featured back, but that's not likely. And it's certainly not likely to be Hillman. Leave him on the waiver wire or on your bench in Week 4.

Some were surprised that Ahmad Bradshaw received more carries than newly acquired Trent Richardson at San Francisco on Sunday.

Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton does not believe anyone should be surprised. He claimed that he was impressed that Richardson participated took 30 reps just 12 hours after they met, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Richardson was not nearly as productive as Bradshaw, who ran for 95 yards and a score in the surprisingly lopsided defeat of the 49ers. Richardson rushed for just 35 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown and is now averaging a mere 3.2 yards per attempt this season.

Rams running back Isaiah Pead found a measure of success in Week 3 when called upon to replace Daryl Richardson, but it wasn't like he had a breakout game. Now, with Richardson officially probable for Week 4 against the 49ers Thursday, it is difficult to say whether Pead is looking at a similar role.

Pead appeared in just one of the first two games before Richardson's injury, and had just one rush and a pair of receptions. If Richardson is anywhere close to full strength, it is probable fair to assume Pead will once again see a limited role.

If Pead was assured of getting a dozen or so touches yet again, he might be worth using against a 49ers defense that has struggled against running backs. Opposing backs have totaled 25.3 Fantasy points per game against the 49ers this season, while scoring six touchdowns in three games.

With Richardson expected to play, Pead should be considered little more than a flex option for Week 4. 

In the past, facing the 49ers defense has been a running backs worst nightmare. So far this year, however, opposing backs have been feasting on the Niners, which would bode well for Rams running back Daryl Richardson, if he wasn't dealing with a foot injury.

The 49ers have allowed a league-high 73 Fantasy points to running backs through three games, including at least 10 in each game. They haven't necessarily given up huge yardage totals (just 112.7 per game), however six touchdowns have been put up on the board against the 49ers by running backs.

Richardson is officially probable for Thursday's game after getting through practice Wednesday. However this is the same foot injury that forced him to miss all but one snap in Week 3, so Fantasy owners are rightly a bit wary of leaning on Richardson again.

Opinions on Richardson's Fantasy value vary widely; of our three Fantasy experts, one has him ranked 23rd for backs this week and one has him 37th, while Nathan Zegura doesn't have him among his top 48. Richardson has plenty of boom-or-bust potential in Week 4, and should be considered a risky start. 

The Colts made several minor player moves on Wednesday. They re-signed wide receiver Da'rick Rogers and running back Kerwynn Williams while releasing wide receiver Danny Coale and running back Miguel Maysonet .

Rams running back Daryl Richardson (foot) is listed as probable for Thursday's game against San Francisco after putting in two full practices. He'll likely share snaps with Isaiah Pead.