NFL Player News

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.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas has run for two touchdowns in three games. That's about the extent of his Fantasy value.

Although Thomas is splitting snaps with Lamar Miller, Thomas hasn't done much with his opportunities except get in the end zone twice. He's averaging 3.1 yards per carry and one catch per game.

Thomas has cashed in both times he's carried inside the opponents' 10-yard line. He had a 5-yard score against the Falcons in Week 3, and a 1-yard touchdown plunge against the Browns in Week 1.

Keep Thomas benched unless you're in a touchdown-only league.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he prefers to share reps at running back between Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw. He said he will then go with the running back that gets the hot hand during a game.

"They just want to win," Pagano said about dividing carries between the two running backs.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who aggravated his foot injury during the Week 3 game against the Cowboys, was a full go in practice Tuesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. 

Richardson was limited in practice Monday but said he'd be ready to play in Thursday night's Week 4 game at home against San Francisco. His status was upgraded Tuesday and it appears he's on track to play for the Rams. 

Richardson has struggled so far this year with 30 carries for 98 yards through two games. He did some damage as a receiver with 10 catches for 78 yards, but he's been playing hurt, which has been a problem.

The Raiders were hopeful switching from a zone-blocking to a power-blocking scheme this season would help running back Darren McFadden regain the form he had in 2010 and 2011, when he averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened through three games, as McFadden is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry.

"We have to continue to look for ways that we can get Darren the football and get him some space that he can run the ball in," coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce might just be one of the best Fantasy starts of the week heading into Week 4's meeting with the Bills in Buffalo. That is because there is a decent chance that Ray Rice misses another game after sitting out last week due to his hip injury.

First of all, Pierce's matchup against the Bills is a favorable one. The Bills allowed 149 rushing yards last week to New York's Bilal Powell. They gave up 101 yards on 14 carries Week 1 to Shane Vereen. Even DeAngelo Williams neared 100 yards with 85 against them Week 2. That said, the Bills have yet to allow a rushing touchdown on the season. That said, no team has allowed more rushing yards.

Pierce started for Rice last week and wasn't phenomenal. He had 24 carries and went for 65 yards, though he did score a touchdown. Pierce has scored in consecutive games and will look to make it three straight Week 4 in Buffalo. If Rice is active, Pierce is still worth starting in most Fantasy formats. If not, Pierce becomes a must-start Fantasy RB.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman joked with reporters after Monday's game against the Raiders he won the right to score a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter after beating fellow running backs Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball in a game of "rock, paper, scissors." On Tuesday, coach John Fox dispelled the notion that was the reason Hillman got the carry.

"That’s just little stuff that people like to get on TV and have something to talk about," Fox said Tuesday, per The Denver Post. "Ronnie Hillman was going back in the game. That was just a little way to have fun, I guess. That wasn’t official. Ronnie was running the ball. We decide that, not them."