Steven Jackson Injury: Update on Rams Star's Week 4 Status and Fantasy Value

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson started the year with a bang, as his very first carry of the year resulted in a 47-yard touchdown run.

Unfortunately, Jackson injured his quadriceps on that run. The injury forced him to sit out Week 2, and he was used sparingly in Week 3.

Jackson is on track for an increased workload in Week 4, but his status is changing every day. For all the latest on his health and his fantasy value, check back here periodically for updates.

Update: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m. EDT

Jackson is back to being the feature back in the St. Louis offense. He was the only guy to carry the football today and went for 45 yards on 17 attempts. He added 4 receptions for 19 yards and a score. 

The St. Louis offense is having a lot of problems, but you can count on Jackson to at least get touches from here on out. 

Update: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12:40 p.m. EDT

NFL.com reports Jackson will start this week and should be a play for your fantasy football team.

UPDATE: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3:55 p.m. EDT

For the St. Louis Rams, there is no better news than hearing their powerful running back Steven Jackson will be ready to play this Sunday when the team takes on the Washington Redskins.

NFL Fantasy Football is reporting that Steven Jackson will be a go for the St. Louis Rams this Sunday:

Normally I will advocate against starting a player just off of an injury, but Steven Jackson is the exception to the rule and anytime this beast is on the field he is a must start.

Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6:02 p.m. EST

Finally some good news for St. Louis Rams fans as Steven Jackson tells the team's official Twitter page that he will be ready to go on Sunday.

It remains to be seen how effective he will be, especially against a tough Redskins defense, but he should be in the lineup on Sunday afternoon.

Thursday, Sept. 29 at 1:03 p.m. EST

Steven Jackson didn't get much action last week, but ESPN is reporting that things are looking good for the Rams RB this week,

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Coach Steve Spagnuolo said Wednesday that Jackson was not at full speed but had improved from a right quadriceps injury sustained on his first carry of the year. He wasn't cleared to play until the day before Sunday's 37-7 loss to the Ravens and had only four carries for 23 yards.

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He didn't get to practice in full, but things are clearly getting better for Jackson, who could get more action this week against the Washington Redskins.

Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 5:50 p.m. ET

Today has been a good day for Jackson. Per the Rams' official Twitter account, we know that Jackson had a very productive day in practice.

You obviously have to take team reports for what they're worth, but Rams quarterback Sam Bradford openly expressed his excitement about Jackson's progress to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"You don't see him out here a lot on Wednesdays," Bradford said of Jackson. "Anytime he's out here Wednesday practicing, especially the way he looked today -- he looked great, he looked fast, he looked like himself -- that's definitely going to be big for us."

It sounds like Jackson is indeed getting closer to 100 percent, which is great news for the Rams. They could use some help in the running game.

It's also great news for fantasy owners. Jackson's health has been a huge issue for the myriad owners who used a high draft pick on him, and they would like nothing more than to see Jackson start producing.

It sounds like he's going to be able to do that on Sunday against the Washington Redskins. Either way, stay tuned for more regarding Jackson's status.