Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood are the St. Louis Rams' first name-brand backups for Steven Jackson since the ill-fated Stephen Davis era, but in the Rams' preseason-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts it was little used sophomore Keith Toston who starred, carrying the ball 11 times for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 33-10 victory. Williams and Norwood were also strong, with Williams getting 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown and Norwood adding eight for 37. (Jackson did not play.)
With the Rams' running positions seemingly filled after the rapid-fire acquisitions of Norwood and Williams it seemed like there was no path to the roster for Toston, who ran 19 times for 54 yards as an undrafted free agent in 2010. After looking like a sleeper candidate in the offseason Toston's playing time evaporated early, as he only twice got the ball five times in a game. With Kenneth Darby out of the picture Toston will still need to sneak past one of Jackson's pedigreed backups to see significant playing time on offense. If he continues to play like he did in the first week of the preseason he still has a chance.