Pead has torn ACL

Rams RB Isaiah Pead suffered a torn ACL in Saturday's preseason game.  It ends his season -- and possibly his Rams career.  The former 2nd-round pick has been a colossal bust.  He was 4th on the depth chart -- behind Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham and Tre Mason -- and well off the fantasy radar even before this injury.

Rams RB Isaiah Pead is a surprise INACTIVE for tonight's game against the 49ers.  He wasn't listed on the Week 4 injury report, so it looks like he's a healthy scratch.  Pead was St. Louis' lead back last week after RB Daryl Richardson left early with foot trouble, but he finished with just 20 yards on 6 carries.  He evidently didn't do enough to even serve as a backup tonight.  Pead has been a major disappointment since being selected in the 2nd round last year.  Rookie RB Zac Stacy is active tonight, but Daryl Richardson will serve as the Rams' feature back.  We just bumped him up our RB Rankings.

Rams RB Isaiah Pead is set to make his 2013 debut this Sunday after serving his 1-game suspension last weekend.  Pead is listed as the #2 RB on the depth chart and should see action behind Daryl Richardson against the Falcons in Week 2.  Richardson turned in a ho-hum effort in the opener, averaging just 3.2 yards on 20 carries.  In addition to getting Pead in the mix, the Rams also want to get RB Zac Stacy more involved going forward.  Richardson will remain the best fantasy bet in Week 2, but he'll be nothing more than a RB3 or flex.  And his grip on the starting job is tenuous.

Rams RB Isaiah Pead failed to impress in significant duty Saturday night.  He ran for just 21 yards on 11 carries against the Packers after getting the start over Daryl Richardson.  (Zac Stacy was inactive.)  Pead's best play was a 10-yard catch-and-run.  That's hardly enough to shove Richardson aside and take a big portion of the rushing workload.  Pead struggled to find running room for most of the night, which bodes ill for the whole group of Rams RBs.  Frankly, we're not excited about any of them this year.  But it's clear that Richardson should be the 1st of the 3 off the board in your fantasy football draft.

Daryl Richardson is in the lead in St. Louis' RB derby.  But OC Brian Schottenheimer made it clear that Isaiah Pead is still in the running.  "Would I say Daryl has the lead? Sure, but there’s a ways to go, and we expect good things from Isaiah this weekend," Schotty said.  “I think Isaiah’s done some amazing things in training camp."  Pead has continued to receive 1st-team reps in practice and is expected to get work with the starters in Saturday's preseason game.  The former 2nd-round pick is still plenty capable of winning a significant role -- and even the starting job.  Pead's ADP has dropped into the 12th round, making him a fine flier.

Rams RB Daryl Richardson got the start and the 1st carry in Thursday night's preseason opener.  RB Isaiah Pead entered later in the 1st series and promptly lost a fumble.  Not a good start for a guy battling for playing time.  Pead went on to tally 18 yards on 3 carries.  Richardson finished with 4 rushes for 24 yards, plus 2 catches for 20 more.  RB Zac Stacy played only with the backups, carrying 7 times for 23 yards.  This battle is far from over, but Richardson probably lengthened his lead on Thursday.