The Los Angeles Rams could be in trouble at the running back position as two key players went out with injuries Sunday. What are the extent of the injuries to Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers?
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Rams Running Back Depth in Trouble
Williams has found success in the starting running back position for the Rams. He has had two 100-yard games this season and tallied 158 yards on 20 carries Sunday in the win against the Cardinals.
MORE: Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart
Initially playing behind Cam Akers, Williams impressed enough that the Rams opted to trade Akers. On the season, Williams has amassed 456 yards on 97 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Williams left early during Sunday’s game against the Cardinals due to an ankle injury. He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter and was listed as questionable by the Rams. The RB left without a boot but is getting an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
On Monday, an MRI revealed an ankle sprain that could potentially knock him out of their next matchup against the Steelers.
#Rams RB Kyren Williams, who rushed for 158 yards and a TD yesterday, suffered an ankle injury and is getting an MRI, per @RapSheet.
The Notre Dame product has been a big part of LA’s offense this year.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 16, 2023
Backup RB Rivers also suffered an injury in the Week 6 matchup. In the third quarter, he exited the game with a knee injury and did not return. The injury is reported to be a Grade 3 PCL sprain, and he is expected to miss 4-5 weeks.
Rivers has put up 57 rushing yards on 13 carries so far this season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
Assuming Rivers misses time, rookie Zach Evans will see more playing time. While Williams is expected to be OK long-term, the team would be in trouble this week if he indeed has to sit out due to the ankle sprain and Evans steps into the starting role.
Evans played six snaps and had four carries for 10 yards in the win Sunday. The rookie out of Ole Miss was a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and showed potential as an athletic and quick running back.
Evans was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and put up 936 rushing yards on 144 carries during his final season at Ole Miss. Sunday was his first appearance in the NFL.
This pair of injuries could be a major blow to the Rams. Even if Rivers is the only one of the two to miss an extended amount of time, the lack of depth and throwing a rookie into the backup role could cause the run game to struggle. The Rams also have veteran running back Royce Freeman on the practice squad.
