"Ever since he became a full-time starter in 2005, Steven Jackson has been one of the busiest running backs in the NFL, averaging 342 touches a season. (With a touch defined as either a catch or a carry.)

Preseasons have been a different matter. Except for his first two seasons, Jackson has barely broken a sweat in exhibition play, something that's not unusual for upper-echelon backs throughout the league.

In 2007, for example, Jackson didn't get a single carry in preseason play, and had just two catches. He missed the entire '08 preseason because of a contract holdout. Even last preseason, he had only nine carries and no receptions.

All of which made what happened Friday at Arrowhead Stadium all the more unusual. Even though he played only four series, encompassing 1½ quarters, Jackson had 15 carries for 72 yards and one catch for five yards in the Rams' 14-10 victory over Kansas City. A heavy workload for Jackson was the plan entering the game, according to coach Steve Spagnuolo."