The St. Louis Rams saw Todd Gurley make his debut last week and while he did not do much, the running back should get more work ahead in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals. Tre Mason and Gurley are the top RB options for Nick Foles and fantasy owners should look at Tavon Austin and Kenny Britt as sleeper options for STL this week.
Gurley had knee surgery in his final season at Georgia and that did not stop the Rams from making him a first round pick. Gurley was out for the first two weeks of the season and he made his debut in Week 3 against the Steelers. Gurley did not do much on Sunday, rushing for nine yards on six carries and adding one reception, but that was not surprising considering it was his first NFL action of the season.
According to ESPN.com, Jeff Fisher said after the game in his press conference that the team wanted to take it easy with Gurley in his first true game back from surgery. Fisher said that the team likely will have Gurley more involved in Week 4 and moving forward it could be more of a split carry situation with Tre Mason. Gurley only played 14 snaps for the Rams in the game and once he shows that he can handle a full slate, Fisher likely will get him the ball more.
Mason started the season with a hamstring issue and he has come back for the Rams and helps give some depth at the RB position. Mason is essentially the starter when healthy and until Gurley gets his legs back, Mason will be the lead back. Mason has a tough matchup (as do the Rams) with the Cardinals and fantasy owners should probably shy away from these players this week unless they have no better options. Mason has 42 yards in two games this season and he comes in after rushing for 765 yards as a rookie last year.
Mason only had 16 yards in the loss against the Steelers, but the Rams did not have the chance to get the running game going and that put more on Foles and the passing offense. Fantasy owners looking for some depth or replacements for injured players like Dez Bryant and Alshon Jeffery could look at Kenny Britt or Tavon Austin as temporary options. Britt is one of the only consistent options for Foles and he comes in after having seven catches for 102 yards against the Rams.
Britt was targeted 10 times and that is a positive sign for fantasy owners and he comes in with 11 catches for 183 yards this season. Austin had five catches for 38 yards and while he has not done much overall this season, Austin is a high upside option in deep leagues. Austin returns kicks and has already scored a TD that way and he has been getting work rushing the ball with Gurley and Mason banged up. Austin is only an option in deeper leagues, but he could breakout big again this season.
