Isaiah Pead cost himself the chance to play in the St. Louis Rams' season opener after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The one-game suspension doesn't appear to have cost him any favor with his head coach.
"Obviously, he has to suffer the consequences and miss the game," Jeff Fisher said in quotes distributed by the team, "but I'm pleased with how he's bounced back and his professional approach to being a member of this team this year."
Fisher said Pead's suspension -- triggered by an offense last summer -- won't complicate the process as the Rams structure their plan at running back. Pead will be competing for carries with Daryl Richardson, Zac Stacy and Terrance Ganaway. Pead's suspension won't hinder his chance at earning reps.
"It will not, no, whatsoever. There's great competition there," Fisher said. "He's not going to be penalized as far as reps and carries during the preseason. We're getting ready for a long haul and we'll be without him for one week, which we understand, but it doesn't complicate things."
A second-round draft pick last year, Pead will be expected to step into a defined role after a lost rookie year. The suspension, while unfortunate, has not changed the organization's belief in his upside.
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