Benny

Cunningham

The Jaguars also cut OG Jordan Agasiva and OT Andrew Lauderdale while inking deals with OT Ka’John Armstrong, OT Ben Ijalana and TE Ethan Wolf. Cunningham is out with a hamstring issue and likely won’t resurface until that injury subsides. Cunningham’s departure leaves Ryquell Armstead, Alfred Blue and Thomas Rawls to fend for backup snaps behind third-year workhorse Leonard Fournette.

Cunningham was signed for his special teams, but he has the pass-catching skills to play the T.J. Yeldon role in Jacksonville’s offense. His roster odds increased with fifth-round RB Ryquell Armstrong (leg) sidelined. Alfred Blue, Thomas Rawls, and UDFA Taj McGowan are the Jaguars only other healthy backs behind Leonard Fournette.

Cunningham is likely being signed with an eye toward a role on special teams. He can help out in a pinch on offense, operating as a COP/third-down back. It is far from certain that he will make the 53-man roster.

The Jaguars are also hosting Alfred Blue on Monday as they look to shore up the depth chart behind Leonard Fournette. Cunningham was more of a special teamer than an option on offense during his two seasons with the Bears, but he can do a job as a third-down and change-of-pace back along with helping out on special teams.

Cunningham’s visit to the Saints was enough to spur the Bears into action, retaining their core special teamer. Cunningham, 28 in July, will compete for Chicago’s No. 3 running back job behind Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen.

Stacy ran ahead of fellow rookie Benny Cunningham after all, but found himself out-touched 25-1 by Richardson. With Isaiah Pead coming off suspension next week, Stacy is miles from re-draft relevance.

Cunningham did return two kicks, but will likely be a healthy scratch in Week 2 with Isaiah Pead coming off suspension.

Daryl Richardson started the game, but left after two snaps when he aggravated his foot injury. That left Pead and Benny Cunningham (22 snaps) to carry the load. With Richardson’s Week 4 status unclear, Pead is going to be a strong fantasy add. He could keep the starting job going forward with Richardson failing to impress as a runner even before his injury. However, Pead will have a tough task in Week 4 as the Niners come to town steaming after their embarrassing home loss to the Colts.

With Isaiah Pead inactive, Cunningham served as Daryl Richardson’s backup and saw extended playing time in the second half with the Rams in comeback mode. He added one catch for 17 yards and scored on a two-point conversion. Cunningham is an upgrade over Richardson in pass protection and should continue to push for a change-of-pace role.

The Rams were noncommittal on the starting running back situation Wednesday. “We haven’t decided yet,” coach Jeff Fisher said. “We’ll probably play most if not all the running backs that are active. Depends on what package we’re in.” The lack of clarity here is going to make it tough to use any Rams back despite a dream matchup at home against the Jags Sunday. We do know that no one in the media is giving Benny Cunningham a chance to start and Daryl Richardson said via Twitter that he’s not starting.