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.