Daryl Richardson, Rams clarify starting running back situation

Daryl Richardson said Wednesday morning, via Twitter, that he was not going to get the start at running back for the St. Louis Rams this week. Apparently, Richardson got ahead of himself. Head coach Jeff Fisher says that the team has not named a starting running back, and players will compete for that job ahead of this week's game against Jacksonville.

"I haven't decided yet. We'll probably play most, if not all of the running backs, if they're active." - Jeff Fisher on #Rams starting RB

— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) October 2, 2013

"If they're active" is the real message here. Last week, Isaiah Pead was left off the game day active roster. Zac Stacy's found himself there once this season too.

Something else to consider when thinking about the Rams running back situation. Richardson was named the starter in August, during the preseason. But Fisher said that the team would really be handling most of the rushing duties via rotation. Things didn't quite work out that way. Richardson leads the team with 42 carries through four games. Benny Cunningham is next on the list with just 10 carries.

Of course, as we said earlier, running the ball just hasn't been a priority for the Rams so far this season. Playing from behind is part of that, but running ball has never been a priority. In the first and second quarter of all four games this season, the Rams have just 40 rushing attempts compared to 78 passing attempts.

And if you've landed here out of fantasy football curiosity, don't bother starting any of the Rams running backs.