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As St. Louis Post-Dispatch staffer Jim Thomas suggested, one month into the season, it seemed inconceivable. But with two games to play in 2013, Rams rookie Zac Stacy has a good chance to reach the 1,000-yard barrier in rushing yards.

“Considering he got a late start, I think it would be quite a feat,” head coach Jeff Fisher said. “Especially against some of the defenses that we faced this year.”

Stacy, a fifth-round pick, had one carry for four yards through four games. But in the 10 games since he became the Rams’ starter at running back, Stacy has averaged 85 yards rushing per game. With 854 yards for the season, he needs to average 73 yards, against Tampa Bay this Sunday and Seattle on Dec. 29, to reach 1,000.

“That would be great,” quarterback Kellen Clemens said. “Certainly, the way that we lean on the run game, hopefully it’s possible. Hopefully he gets his carries.”

As Thomas pointed out, the Rams have established a tradition of 1,000-yard rushers during the franchise’s time in St. Louis. Beginning with Marshall Faulk in the 1999 Super Bowl championship season, the Rams have had a 1,000-yard rusher 11 times in 14 seasons.

Thanks to the work of Steven Jackson, they have done it eight consecutive seasons, the longest current streak of 1,000-yard rushers of any team in the league.

Guess who’s No. 2?

Tennessee, where Fisher established a tradition of successful running teams during his long tenure there. The Titans have had a 1,000-yard rusher for seven consecutive seasons.

While the offensive line play has improved, Stacy has been rather impressive on his own. According to Profootballfocus.com, Stacy ranks eighth in the NFL in yards after contact (522) and is tied for eighth in the league in yards per carry (2.6) after contact.

After a Sunday against New Orleans in which he left briefly because of a hip injury and had 29 touches, some observers were surprised to see Stacy on the practice field Wednesday.

“His durability at this point is impressive,” Clemens said. “His durability and his consistency -- how he’s able to do it week in and week out.”

Stacy said he has learned from the team’s veterans how to take care of his body over the course of the long NFL season. He has kept rolling despite ankle, rib, concussion, and now hip issues, while averaging 20 carries in his 10 games as a starter.

But he’s been able to answer the call each Sunday.

“I feel good as new,” he said after Wednesday’s practice. “I feel better than last week, to tell you the truth.”

"Good enough," Thomas summed up, "to stare down 1,000 yards. ... In just 12 games."