Steven Jackson Injury: Daryl Richardson Not Worth a Waiver Wire Pickup This Week

Running back Steven Jackson left the St. Louis Rams’ game against the Washington Redskins with a groin injury, but does not appear to be seriously hurt and backup Daryl Richardson is not worth a sport on fantasy football rosters.

There was speculation that Jackson was benched due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas reported that there is no truth to that claim.

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RB Steven Jackson was not benched in second quarter. He left the game with a groin injury according to coach Jeff Fisher.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) September 17, 2012"

According to Anthony Stalter of 101 ESPN Radio in St. Louis, Jackson’s injury was evaluated and does not appear to be serious.

"

Steven Jackson telling @101espn that he had an MRI on his groin and everything turned out "positive" (i.e. he's fine right now). #Rams

— Anthony Stalter (@AnthonyStalter) September 17, 2012"

When Jackson left the game, he had already picked up 58 yards on nine carries. Richardson continued to give the Rams production in the running game and carried the ball 15 times for 83 yards.

Richardson was taken with the second-to-last pick in the 2012 NFL draft out of Abilene Christian. His 5.5 yards per carry average was impressive, but he did not get in the end zone.

When Jackson was healthy in Week 1, he was on the field for 95 percent of the Rams’ offensive snaps, as noted by ESPN’s Mike Sando. This proves that if St. Louis’ star running back is ready to go, head coach Jeff Fisher has little interest in splitting time.

Even if Jackson was out for the Rams’ Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears, Richardson is unlikely to have a productive outing. The Bears defense allowed the sixth-least fantasy points to running backs last season, according to NFL.com.

With Jackson unlikely to miss significant time—if he misses any time at all—and Richardson facing an unfavorable matchup if he gets the start, the Rams’ backup will not be worth adding for most fantasy owners.

If you already own Jackson, it appears that Richardson and not Isaiah Pead is the better handcuff. That is where Richardson’s fantasy value ends.

Owners searching for their next waiver wire gem will not find it in the St. Louis backfield.