Los Angeles Rams lead back Kyren Williams has a sprained ankle and is expected to miss next Sunday’s clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams injured his ankle in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals in his team’s 26-9 victory. The Notre Dame product left the game with a little over six minutes remaining in regulation. However, the 23-year-old had an afternoon, taking 20 rush attempts for 158 yards and one touchdown. He had just two carries in the first half, but Los Angles leaned heavily on the second-year pro in the final 30 minutes of the contest. He did not register a reception.
While Kyren Williams’ MRI revealed just an ankle sprain that may knock him out this week, the news was not as positive for Ronnie Rivers. Source says he has a Grade 3 PCL sprain and is out 4-5 weeks. That likely means IR. https://t.co/DXhoRvHAxM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2023
Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams has Flashed in 2023
Kyren Williams, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has had a fantastic season, rushing for 456 yards and six touchdowns on 4.7 yards per rush attempt. He has also added 14 receptions, 105 yards, and one touchdown through the air.
Williams entered the 2023 campaign in a committee with Cam Akers but has since taken full ownership of the backfield after the latter got traded to the Minnesota Vikings. In their lone game together, Williams ran for 52 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while Akers totaled just 29 yards and a score on 22 carries. Williams posted pedestrian numbers as a rookie in 2022, taking 35 carries for 139 yards and no scores. He played behind both Akers and now-XFL back Darrell Henderson.
Los Angeles Rams: Running Back Room Outside Williams
Undrafted second-year back Ronnie Rivers has operated as the backup running back to Kyren Williams since Cam Akers got dealt to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season. Rivers has done an admirable job as a sub-back to Williams, averaging 4.4 yards per rush attempt on 13 attempts. He has also caught all four of his targets for 18 yards. However, despite registering three carries, Rivers was also injured in Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. Sources believe The Fresno State product suffered a PCL sprain and is an option for the injured reserve.
Rookie Zach Evans is next in line for carries, with Williams and Rivers projected to be unavailable in Week 7. Evans was a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft. The five-foot-eleven back has just four rush attempts this season and zero targets in the passing game. Evans played his final collegiate year with the Ole Miss Rebels, taking 144 carries for 946 yards and nine touchdowns. He provided little regarding being a receiving threat out of the backfield but averaged 6.9 yards per carry in college.
Royce Freeman is also on the practice squad and could get elevated to the active roster ahead of next Sunday’s matchup. The former Oregon Duck had 41 carries for 117 yards with the Houston Texans in 2022. His best season came as a rookie in 2018, rushing for 521 yards and five touchdowns on 130 rushing attempts.