Daryl Richardson received a day off practice Wednesday for the Rams.

A notorious player's coach, Jeff Fisher is just giving his No. 1 running back a breather. Richardson is fully expected to be back at practice Thursday. He totaled 96 yards on 25 touches in Week 1 against the Cardinals. Richardson remains a strong RB2/flex option against the Falcons this week.

Daryl Richardson rushed 20 times for 63 yards in St. Louis' Week 1 win over the Cardinals, adding five catches for 33 yards.

Richardson found little space between the tackles, and had trouble bouncing runs outside. His lateral quickness was lacking against an athletic Cardinals front seven, though it could have been the result of a first-half ankle tweak. Richardson lost three yards on his lone goal-line carry. Nevertheless, he ceded just one touch to backup Zac Stacy, and shouldn't be threatened by Isaiah Pead's return in Week 2. D-Rich is low on special qualities, but is a far more intelligent football player than Pead. We'd expect another big workload against the Falcons, locking Richardson in as a FLEX play.

The Rams held Daryl Richardson out of their preseason finale.

It's a clear indication St. Louis has selected Richardson as its lead back to open the season. No. 2 runner Isaiah Pead had nine touches against the Broncos, while Zac Stacy carried the rock 11 times. Neither was effective. Richardson ended the preseason with 34 yards on nine carries (3.8 YPC) and four receptions for 49 yards. Although St. Louis intends to play more spread-type offense in 2013, coach Jeff Fisher has long been committed to the run game. Expect Richardson to receive no fewer than 17 touches on Opening Day against the Cardinals.

Daryl Richardson rushed for 10 yards on five carries in Saturday night's preseason game against the Broncos.

Richardson worked exclusively with the first-team offense, as expected, and he was the lone Rams running back to mix in with the ones. Isaiah Pead didn't enter until the Rams sent their twos on the field. Richardson didn't get much running room, but he's the clear-cut starter. After three preseason games, Richardson has rushed for 34 yards on nine carries (3.8 YPC) and added four catches for 49 yards. He's on the RB2 radar, but we like him better as a flex play.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner doesn't expect Daryl Richardson to receive more than 15 carries in a game often.

Neither do we. Although the 5'10/195 Richardson has been named the starter, he doesn't profile as a true workhorse. However, he does fit very nicely as a speed back and receiver in the spread offense the Rams are implementing. If healthy, look for something around 250 total touches. Richardson's ADP has rightfully soared into the sixth round of late.

Coach Jeff Fisher has named Daryl Richardson the Rams' Week 1 starter at running back.

He beat out Isaiah Pead, Zac Stacy, and Benny Cunningham. Stacy never even made a realistic challenge, possibly falling behind Cunningham on the depth chart, while Pead struggled in each of St. Louis' first two preseason games. Richardson's Average Draft Position has moved up to the early sixth round in recent weeks, which isn't surprising. We wouldn't discourage considering him in the mid- to late-fifth round. Though undersized, Richardson is a highly explosive, versatile weapon who'll benefit from the Rams' new wide-open spread offense. He could push for 200 carries and 50 receptions.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes Daryl Richardson "lengthened his already considerable lead" over Isaiah Pead for starting duties despite playing only four snaps in Saturday's preseason game.

It was the obvious takeaway after watching Saturday's game, where Pead could muster just 21 yards on 11 touches. We'd expect Richardson to run as the starter in Saturday's regular season dress rehearsal against the Broncos, with Pead serving as a change-of-pace back.

Daryl Richardson caught one pass for 24 yards in the Rams' second preseason game Saturday night.

Isaiah Pead got the "start" and received ten touches, managing only 24 total yards. The Rams made it clear before the game Pead would play extensively because they wanted a better look at him following Pead's rough preseason opener. Richardson still seems to have the lead back job wrapped up, although we probably won't know for sure until St. Louis' regular season dress rehearsal next week. It's worth noting Richardson had a second productive touch negated due to penalty on Saturday night.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch gives Daryl Richardson a "strong hold" on the Rams' starting tailback job.

Beat writer Jim Thomas says Richardson "hasn't clinched the spot, but he's getting close." Isaiah Pead has ample talent to make this a two-horse race, but can't afford more ball security woes after losing a fumble in the preseason opener. The Rams host the Packers for their second exhibition game Saturday night.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner believes Daryl Richardson has done "nothing to endanger" his starting status in camp, and has "probably put a bit of distance" between himself and Isaiah Pead.

We already knew Richardson ran circles around Pead in last week's preseason opener, but it sounds like he's winning the battle on the practice field, as well. Richardson is clearly the leader in the clubhouse, but nothing will be official until the Rams make it through their third preseason game. Richardson drafters would do well to snag Pead in the later rounds.

ESPN Rams blogger Nick Wagoner considers Daryl Richardson "the leader in the clubhouse" for St. Louis' starting tailback job.

Isaiah Pead is No. 2 on the depth chart, although he hurt his cause with a lost fumble in St. Louis' preseason opener. Richardson meanwhile racked up 44 yards on six touches against Cleveland, and has been a steadier performer. Rookies Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham have yet to make much noise.

Daryl Richardson started Thursday night's preseason opener versus the Browns and rushed for 24 yards on four carries.

Richardson added two catches for 20 yards out of the backfield, though he did drop a pass over the middle. Last year's seventh-round pick started ahead of Isaiah Pead, as expected, and he looked like the better back on Thursday. Richardson hits the hole quicker and harder than Pead, and he runs with velocity. Richardson was already the back to own in St. Louis, and that hasn't changed.

Speaking Tuesday, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said he expects Daryl Richardson to be the Rams' starting running back.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead are "clearly" the Rams' top two backs entering preseason games.

Rookie Zac Stacy is No. 3, with Benny Cunningham and Terrance Ganaway duking it out for the fourth spot. Richardson is listed as the starter on St. Louis' "unofficial depth chart." He's the tentative favorite to lead the Rams in carries.

Coach Jeff Fisher indicated the Rams are open to the idea of a multi-back, by-committee running game.

Daryl Richardson is the tentative favorite to start, but Isaiah Pead is too talented to keep on the bench and rookie Zac Stacy adds a power element the other two don't. Fisher says St. Louis could wind up "playing two or three backs all the time. Which is good." Richardson is the best fantasy bet at the moment, but isn't worth serious consideration before the middle rounds of drafts.

Although the Rams are expected to implement more spread formations into their 2013 offense, coach Jeff Fisher confirmed they will continue to emphasize the running game.

Defensive-minded Fisher has long been a committed run-game believer, and that won't change even if the formations do. "Our goal is to increase scoring and keep the defense off the field and put drives together," Fisher said. "But first and foremost we have to run the football." It's why the Rams' tailback battle is so critical in fantasy. Daryl Richardson opened training camp as the starter.

The Rams list Daryl Richardson as their "projected starter" at running back heading into training camp.

It's only notable in that the Rams had to list someone on their training camp press release, and chose Richardson over Isaiah Pead and Zac Stacy. Momentum has been building for Richardson after Pead appeared to be the early favorite to replace Steven Jackson on early downs, but we're headed for a genuine camp battle.

CBS Sports' Clark Judge considers second-year RB Daryl Richardson the "favorite" to be the Rams' starting running back.

Judge doesn't appear to have any inside info here, reasoning Richardson is the front-runner only "because he's the only guy with a resume." In June, coach Jeff Fisher indicated the club envisions Richardson as a "space" player, which typically means a change-of-pace back -- how Richardson was used as a rookie. We believe Isaiah Pead and Zac Stacy both have better chances to start.

Coach Jeff Fisher hinted that the Rams envision second-year RB Daryl Richardson as a space player.

Richardson is a work in progress as an inside runner, but the Rams love getting his sub-4.5 speed on the edge. "We have to get the ball to him in the passing game more," said Fisher. "We were spreading it out, but we weren't necessarily going to the backs as much as we would've liked. Any time we can get Daryl the ball in space, it's going to put added pressure on the other team." Richardson projects as a 5-12 touch-per-game back in 2013.

Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer anticipates using a "committee approach" in the backfield.

We'll see. The "committee" term is easy to use in June, when no Rams running back has separated from the pack. That will likely happen in August. Although 2012 change-of-pace back Daryl Richardson has the best history of production, he's probably the least likely to win the lead back job because the Rams fancy Richardson a perimeter runner. Isaiah Pead and rookie Zac Stacy are most likely in direct competition to lead St. Louis in carries.