Mason tallied 14 yards on six rushes in Thursday's preseason finale.

A popular sleeper pick heading into preseason, Mason hasn't done much to move up the depth chart. He's struggled to find space, and has failed to improve upon his weakness in blocking. He should start the season as the third running back and may get a carry or two a game.

Mason gained 29 yards on 10 carries in Saturday's preseason game against the Browns, adding seven yards on two receptions.

Benny Cunningham seems to have the top backup role locked up, leaving Mason to open the season as the Rams No. 3 running back. Still, Mason was drafted in the third round for a reason, and could work his way into some kind or role in the offense.

Mason rushed 12 times for 30 yards during Saturday's preseason loss to the Packers.

Mason didn't enter until the second half commenced, but the torn ACL sustained by fellow back Isaiah Pead assures that the rookie will hold some value in 2014. On the other hand, Zac Stacy remains the main man in the backfield, with Benny Cunningham his likely backup, placing Mason third in the pecking order, at best.

With Isaiah Pead (hand) sidelined, Mason worked as the No. 3 running back in Friday's preseason opener against the Saints, finishing with 51 yards on 15 carries and no receptions on one target.

Zac Stacy, of course, got the start, while Benny Cunningham was second into the game. In addition to being listed after the aforementioned two backs, Mason is No. 4 on the preseason depth chart behind No. 3 Isaiah Pead (hand). However, the speedy Pead has shown nothing through two seasons, and Cunningham went undrafted last year. Mason could make a push for Cunningham's No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but the Auburn product is questionable as both a receiver and a pass blocker, which will make things more difficult for him. Cunningham did well with his five carries Friday, gaining 24 yards.

Mason has been listed as fourth on the initial depth chart for the Rams, according to the Rams' official site.

This is a bit of a surprise, as it seemed like Mason would be ahead of both Benny Cunningham and Isaiah Pead. That could (and should) certainly change as the preseason goes along, but this puts early drafters in a bit of a quandary on Mason.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher labeled rookie Tre Mason as a "change-of-pace back" following May's draft.

Mason could earn complementary carries off the bench this season, but rumors of him threatening bellcow Zac Stacy's starting job are unfounded. "Tre is a change-of-pace back," said Fisher. "Good zone runner, obviously the numbers speak for themselves. He was a guy we just couldn't pass up at that point." Pre-draft reports claimed Mason would need wrist surgery, but the Rams disagreed. "He may have to do something after the season but it was not a concern of ours, nor was it a concern of the doctors," Fisher said of the wrist.

ESPN Rams reporter Nick Wagoner guesses third-round pick Tre Mason could garner 8-10 carries per game as a rookie.

Wagoner seems comfortable with his projection, noting "that means something like 140-160 carries" over the course of the year. Losing that many attempts would be a huge drain on Zac Stacy's fantasy value, as he is very much a volume-dependent commodity, having averaged under 3.9 YPC last season. In a chat with Rams fans, Wagoner later wrote he'd be "surprised" if Mason stole Stacy's starting job, but expects the rookie to "earn his way to plenty of carries as the season wears on." It's certainly a situation to monitor in training camp.