Steven Jackson Injury: Why You Must Bench Rams RB for Fantasy Football Week 2

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson exploded out of the gate in Week 1. He turned his first carry into a 47-yard touchdown. Then he ripped off a nine-yard run before hobbling to the sideline with a right quad injury and never returned.

Jackson has been one of the most reliable fantasy running backs over the past few seasons, mainly because he has played through minor injuries. But this quad strain appears to be pretty serious as he didn't practice all week.

While he is listed as questionable, I have to believe the Rams will be cautious with their franchise cornerstone. Cadillac Williams is Jackson's backup and you should expect the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back to get the start on Monday night against the New York Giants.

On the off-chance that Jackson even makes it onto the field, he's still a bad start this week. The Giants did a nice job keeping Tim Hightower in check during a 28-21 loss to the Washington Redskins in Week 1. Hightower carried the ball 25 times for just 72 yards and a touchdown.

A hobbled Jackson would have trouble repeating those numbers.

In addition to that, the Giants' secondary has been decimated by injuries. The Rams will almost certainly open things up and try to let quarterback Sam Bradford pick them apart. The Giants allowed an out of shape Rex Grossman complete 21-of-34 passes for 305 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 1.

If Grossman can do that to the Giants' secondary. imagine what Bradford could do. The Rams are likely to focus on an aerial attack even if Jackson does manage to play. That said, I don't expect him to see the field this week.

The Rams would be smart to hold Jackson out this week and allow his quad to fully heal. Expect Jackson to be on the shelf Monday night and find yourself another running back in his place for Week 2.