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Running back Daryl Richardson only played four snaps in the team’s second preseason game.

It wasn’t because he’s falling out of favor with the coaching staff, though. It’s because the team has already seen all that they needed to see from Richardson to know that he’d be in the backfield when the offense opens up the season against the Cardinals. That was coach Jeff Fisher’s explanation at a Monday press conference that confirmed where things have been heading for some time.

“From a starting standpoint, yeah, I think Daryl would probably take the first snap against Arizona,” Fisher said.

It doesn’t hurt that Isaiah Pead won’t be available Week One because of a suspension, but Fisher made it clear that Richardson wasn’t starting by default. Fisher has said that he doesn’t anticipate having a bell cow back, so Pead should still see a good amount of work. Being the first guy up always has its advantages, though, and Richardson looks like a good fit for the overall move toward more spread looks after the acquisitions of Tavon Austin and Jared Cook.