In the span of a couple of hours, the Rams introduced Zac Stacy as the starting running back, then Benny Cunningham actually started the game before Tre Mason ended up getting 18 carries, by far the most amongst the backs and the second most by a Ram this season. All of that while Stacy played one snap and got no carries.
Apparently, it didn't take long to decide that Mason had the hot hand.
“We’re going to play all three backs," coach Jeff Fisher said Sunday. "I have great respect for all three of them, and Trey Watts for that matter. They are very unselfish, they root each other on. Tre got a hot hand and it was just kind of a different thing. We felt that we may have a chance to crease their defense at times with him."
How much it has changed things remains to be seen. When asked about the division of carries again Monday, Fisher offered a similar refrain.
“It’ll be a week-to-week thing," Fisher said. "Zac could get 25 carries this week. We had some things in early this week. It was working so we decided to stay with ‘Mase.' It’s nothing that Zac has done or hasn’t done. He’s been a little banged up the last couple of weeks, but obviously he’s an outstanding runner as well. We clearly have significant depth there at the position.”
Fantasy owners would love to get more clarity here, but it doesn't look like Fisher is going to tip his hand. Mason has been far more productive (5.4) in his 23 carries, and he did it against two good run defenses (SEA, SF). We expect all three backs will be involved, but that the new guy (Mason) has the best chance to seize an RB1-type role.
