Los Angeles Rams' Kyren Williams Placed on IR; Dire RB Situation vs. Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Los Angeles Rams have had an interesting week in the running back room trying to prepare for their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Their top two running backs, Kyren Williams (ankle) and Ronnie Rivers (knee), both went down with injuries and won't play on Sunday. Rivers was placed on injured reserve and won't play for the next four games.
Williams' injury was expected to keep him out for multiple weeks, which the Rams confirmed by placing him on injured reserve Saturday. He'll now be eligible to return as early as Week 12's matchup at the Arizona Cardinals.
The injuries are forcing the Rams to dig into their depth and even rely on a familiar face. The team signed former running back Darrell Henderson to the practice squad this week, and he will be elevated for the game.
"He's done a great job of being able to quickly re-acclimate himself back to a lot of the things that we've done," coach Sean McVay said of Henderson. "He has taken good care of himself in the meantime."
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the football against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium.
© Kyle Terada, USA TODAY
Another player who could see action is veteran Myles Gaskin, who the Rams signed off of the Minnesota Vikings practice squad this week.
"Myles Gaskin being in Minnesota, being in Miami, there is some familiarity and he's got a skill set that's intriguing," McVay said. "I liked what I've seen from him."
The team could also lean on veteran Royce Freeman, who McVay is also ready to run with during the game.
"I have been pleased with Royce," McVay said. "He's smart, conscientious. He's been ready for this opportunity."
McVay also said sixth-round rookie Zach Evans could be part of the team's plans this week, but the coach added that he's "still learning," which could be a ruse or a sign that he isn't ready for a featured role in a game just yet.
The Rams are expected to use at least three of their running backs on Sunday against the Steelers, and could activate all four if necessary.
The Rams and Steelers kick off at 1:05 p.m. inside SoFi Stadium.
