La'Rod Stephens-Howling touched the ball just once in Arizona's Week 12 loss to the Rams, rushing for one yard in the first quarter.

LSH wasn't heard from after getting the rock with 9:52 remaining in the opening period. The Cardinals never announced an injury, but it appears he was knocked out by his troublesome rib issue. With rookie QB Ryan Lindley making his first career start, LSH's elusiveness was badly missed in the Cardinals' screen game. For now, he should be considered questionable for Week 13. If LSH heals up, he should form a tandem with newly-healthy power back Beanie Wells.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling (ribs, questionable) is expected to play in Week 12 against the Rams.

Stephens-Howling put in a limited practice week. With Beanie Wells (toe) set to return and take over starting duties, "Hyphen" isn't a fantasy option anymore. He'll still likely play some third downs and could be a factor in the return game.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling (ribs) is listed as questionable for Week 12 against the Rams after a limited week of practice.

There is some thought that Stephens-Howling might remain heavily involved in Arizona's backfield despite the Week 12 return of Beanie Wells. Unfortunately, "Hyphen" is banged up." He's fantasy waiver-wire material at this point.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling (rib) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

There's no reason to believe Stephens-Howling won't play in Week 12, but he should be back to a third-down role with Beanie Wells expected to start for the Cardinals. Stephens-Howling's value takes a big hit, and he's all but off the fantasy radar with Wells back.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling rushed 22 times for 127 yards and a touchdown and caught two balls for six additional yards as the Cardinals fell to the Falcons in Week 11.

Stephens-Howling got 92 of his rushing yards (72.4 percent) on two first-half runs where there was simply no one defending the middle of the field for the Falcons' defense, and Stephens-Howling jetted directly into green grass. Otherwise, he was largely ineffective handling the football, managing just a 1.86-yard average on his other 22 touches. Stephens-Howling's time as a fantasy option is expected to end in Week 12, with Beanie Wells returning to start against St. Louis. Stephens-Howling should stay lightly involved as a change-of-pace and passing-down back.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling rushed 17 times for 51 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals' Week 9 loss to the Packers.

He was targeted in the passing game four times and secured two for eight yards. Stephens-Howling running between the tackles behind Arizona's sieve of an offensive line is an exercise in futility, but he bounced his goal-line carry outside and beat defenders to the edge for what was ultimately a one-yard score. Stephens-Howling is worth holding onto during the Cardinals' Week 10 bye, but only as an RB3 with flex appeal in the right matchups.

CBS' Jason La Canfora reports the Cardinals are likely "staying put" at running back and quarterback ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

The Cardinals are one big hit away from the Ryan Lindley era at quarterback, and have an undesirable running back duo in La'Rod Stephens-Howling and William Powell as they wait for Beanie Wells to come off injured reserve. However, like nearly every team, their most likely course of action is doing nothing ahead of Thursday's 4ET deadline.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling rushed for just six yards on eight carries and caught three passes for 32 yards in Week 8 against the 49ers.

It was a complete 180 from Stephens-Howling's 24-touch, 149-yard outburst against the Vikings in Week 7. "Hyphen" had a long run of 11 yards but was dropped well behind the line or for no gain on every other carry. Arizona abandoned the run game after seeing how useless it was going to be and called 57 pass plays compared to the eight run plays. William Powell didn't play a single offensive snap, so LSH is the obvious guy in the backfield, but he is unworthy of a waiver claim in fantasy.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that La'Rod Stephens-Howling saw a career-high 24 touches in Week 7 because he developed the "hot hand."

"We went in planning to have a rotation like we normally do," explained Whiz, "but LaRod had the hot hand." William Powell's opening-kickoff fumble also contributed to Stephens-Howling's increased workload. We have no way of knowing the backfield plans for Week 8 versus the 49ers, but it's a daunting matchup for a Cardinals ground attack that has been held under 50 yards three times already. As we've opined several times, Stephens-Howling is unworthy of a high waiver selection this week.

Beat writer Kent Somers believes "doubtful" the Cardinals will rely as heavily on La'Rod Stephens-Howling as they on his career-high 24 touches in Week 7.

Somers believes, as we do, that Stephens-Howling is "more of a specialty back than an every-down runner." In addition to running behind the NFL's least effective offensive line, Stephens-Howling has tough matchups versus the 49ers and Packers before Beanie Wells is allowed to resume practicing again during the Week 10 bye. We would let another owner spend their free agent bucks on LSH this week.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling rushed for just 22 yards on 11 carries in Arizona's Week 6 loss to the Bills.

Stephens-Howling earned the start in the Arizona backfield with Ryan Williams (shoulder) and Beanie Wells (toe) hurt, but William Powell saw much of the work after "Hyphen" couldn't generate much push on the ground. LSH is no more than a third-down back. Powell should handle much of the load in Week 7 against the Vikings.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling (hip) is listed as probable for Week 6 after another full practice Friday.

Expected to be the Cardinals' starting tailback in name only, Stephens-Howling will continue to return kickoffs against the Bills and is a candidate for 7-12 touches, primarily in the passing game. William Powell is tentatively slated to handle the majority of Arizona's Week 6 rushing attempts.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling was upgraded to full participation in Thursday's practice.

He's on track to play versus the Bills. Although Stephens-Howling is listed atop the depth chart at running back, the Cardinals know he's stretched beyond 6-8 touches in a game. If forced to choose an Arizona back for fantasy purposes, we would much rather gamble on William Powell.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling (hip) participated in Wednesday's practice, and "believes he will play" against the Bills.

It's unknown if LSH got in a full or limited session, but he appears on track to return after being a game-time decision and ultimately sitting out in Week 5. LSH is certainly in for an uptick in touches following Ryan Williams' placement on injured reserve, but the tea leaves suggest William Powell might get the first crack at lead duties. LSH is a stronger add in PPR leagues than standard formats.

According to the Arizona Republic, the Cardinals' coaching staff does not believe La'Rod Stephens-Howling is capable of holding up on 15 carries a game.

Stephens-Howling is expected to be the Cardinals' "starter" until Beanie Wells (turf toe) gets back after midseason, but he'll be far from a workhorse. He's 5'7/185, and coaches believe he "tends to wear down" over the course of seasons, even in a change-of-pace and kick return role. Beat writer Kent Somers believes the Cards "will have to add a back," naming Joseph Addai, Tim Hightower, Steve Slaton, and Cadillac Williams as possibilities.

Mike Jurecki of XTRA Sports in Phoenix expects La'Rod Stephens-Howling to be the Cardinals' starting tailback until Beanie Wells returns from his turf toe injury late in the season.

Wells was placed on I.R., but with the "designated for return" classification and is eligible to return no sooner than Week 12. We anticipate Arizona's backfield -- behind a putrid run-blocking line -- to struggle mightily for consistent rushing yards. Return-yardage leaguers and PPR owners may prefer Stephens-Howling, although William Powell is probably the favorite for carries. Alfonso Smith is another candidate. We won't have much clarity before we see the actual touch and snap distribution on the field in a game.

La'Rod Stephens-Howling (hip) will be a game-time decision Thursday night.

Stephens-Howling returned to a limited practice Tuesday after missing Monday's session. If active, he'll handle kickoff returns and see some spot duty in the backfield against the Rams.

Cardinals RB/KR La'Rod Stephens-Howling (hip) missed practice on Monday.

Stephens-Howling also missed Week 4. He's no more than a situational third-down back, but is the team's kick returner and offers some big play ability. If "Hyphen" is forced to miss Thursday night's game against the Rams, backup RB William Powell would likely handle kickoffs and work in behind Ryan Williams.

Cardinals RB/KR La'Rod Stephens-Howling (hip) is doubtful for Week 4 against the Dolphins.

Stephens-Howling did not participate in practice at all during the week and is exclusively a third-down back. With Beanie Wells already out with a toe injury and needing surgery, Ryan Williams is going to handle a full workload against Miami's third-ranked run defense. Practice squad type running backs William Powell and Alfonso Smith will be the backups. WR Andre Roberts is expected to handle kick return duties.

The Arizona Republic projects La'Rod Stephens-Howling as the Cardinals' primary third-down back.