The Los Angeles Rams have transitioned running back Royce Freeman from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Freeman, a six-year pro from the University of Oregon, played three games on special teams with the Rams earlier this year. However, with injuries to lead running back Kyren Williams and backup Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles has activated Freeman ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Oregon product has yet to register an offensive snap this season.
Rams signed RB Darrell Henderson to their practice squad and RB Royce Freeman to their active roster.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 17, 2023
Royce Freeman: NFL Career
The Denver Broncos originally drafted Royce Freeman in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. The six-foot, 238-pound bruiser starred at Oregon, tallying 5,621 rushing yards and 60 scores on 5.9 yards per attempt. Freeman earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a sophomore, running for 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Freeman struggled to gain footing in Denver, averaging just 4.0 yards per rush attempt before his release in 2021. Freeman’s struggles continued with Carolina and Houston before signing with the Rams in the summer of 2023. Freeman spent the preseason with the Los Angeles Rams, taking 13 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in four receptions for ten yards through the air.
Freeman Joins Depleted Los Angeles Rams Running Back Room
Royce Freeman will be a fine addition to a running back room down Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers. Williams has been a godsend for the Los Angeles Rams this season, rushing for 456 yards and six scores over the team’s first six games. He also has 13 receptions for 105 yards and a receiving touchdown. However, Williams suffered an ankle injury in last Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals and looks to miss at least Week 7. Meanwhile, Rivers suffered a PCL strain against Arizona and will be out for the foreseeable future. Rivers was the primary backup to Williams. Additionally, last year’s starter, Cam Akers, was traded to the Minnesota Vikings following Week 2.
Alongside Royce Freeman will be Zach Evans. The five-foot-eleven Evans has just four carries for ten yards this season. The rookie running back played collegiately at TCU and Ole Miss, rushing for 1,999 yards on 230 carries across three seasons. The Rams added Darrell Henderson to the practice squad ahead of Week 7. The Super Bowl champ spent four seasons with Los Angeles but averaged just 4.0 yards per rush attempt last season before his release.