Chris Ogbonnaya Breaks Out Against The Rams

Playing the St. Louis Rams is exactly what the doctor ordered for struggling young running back Chris Ogbonnaya. Filling in for the injured Peyton Hillis and Montero Hardesty, Ogbonnaya took the field against the Rams today coming off some really poor performances. Not today, however.

Ogbonnaya ran for 90 yards on 19 carries. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry after averaging just 2.7 YPC in his previous two games. He also fumbled twice in his two previous games, but managed to hold on to the ball against St. Louis today. His rushing yardage totals aside, Ogbonnaya was unable to find the end zone. 

The question many will have is whether or not Ogbonnaya is a viable fantasy football option. That depends. A game against Jacksonville next week might be good for him, but it all depends on when Hillis can return to action. 

The Rams drafted Ogbonnaya with their seventh-round pick in 2010. They cut him loose this season, and he landed with the Houston Texans, who also released him before he landed in Cleveland. 

St. Louis' run defense needs to do better. Injuries took their toll today, leaving backup Craig Dahl in the game to replace Darian Stewart, whose speed has been an asset to the run defense.