The St. Louis Rams will attempt to plow through the Seattle Seahawks' defense on Sunday with a depleted running back corps.
Jeff Fisher ruled out No. 10 overall pick Todd Gurley last weekend. Meanwhile Tre Mason sat out of practice all week with a hamstring injury.
Mason is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision, but, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas points out, history suggests that a player with a soft-tissue injury who hasn't practiced all week likely won't suit up Sunday.
If Mason is inactive that will leave Benny Cunningham as the Rams' starter (flocks of fantasy footballers scramble to check the waiver wire). Cunningham could end up an every-down back against a Seahawks defense that finished 2014 No. 3 overall in rushing yards per game allowed (81.5).
"I'm just trying to prepare myself as best as possible for this upcoming game, and trying to make the most of this opportunity right now," Cunningham said of possibly starting.
Cunningham made two starts in 2014, but compiled just six combined carries in those games (three yards on two totes in a Week 7 start versus the Seahawks). Entering his third NFL season, Cunningham has a total of 113 carries for 507 yards. Appearing in all 16 contests last season, the 25-year-old back never had more than nine carries in a contest and averaged just 3.7 yards per rush.
With young back Trey Watts suspended to start the season, disappointing former second-round pick Isaiah Pead will likely be the backup with Montana's own Chase Reynolds possibly in the mix.
