The Los Angeles Rams made the difficult decision to place both of their top two running backs, Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers, on injured reserve due to ankle and knee injuries, respectively. Being placed on IR means they are required to miss at least four games before returning to the lineup, and this does not include bye weeks.
This means that Williams and Rivers both are out until at least Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals. Los Angeles has found stopgap running back options in the meantime, including former Rams running back Darrell Henderson, but they would like to have their two young backfield leaders back as soon as possible.
McVay spoke about Williams and Rivers and what the expectation is going to be with their recovery. Namely, if either are both are going to be able to be activated as soon as they are eligible in Week 12.
“I hope so. I think like what you said, I think the first part is it’s still a little bit early, but there was a debate on whether or not we were even going to do that with Kyren knowing that the buy fits in between there and that still doesn’t count as one of the four games that you have to miss. So definitely that would be the goal with him and then as it relates to Ronnie, he’s a guy that we’re hopeful on that but we’ll see how he continues to respond from his knee injury.”
Williams’ injury was always seen as less severe than Rivers. The former waited nearly a week before being placed on IR, and even then there was some hesitation as to whether or not the Rams should. Whereas Rivers was seen as an IR situation almost immediately following the game.
It stands to reason that Williams would be more likely to receive an immediate activation in Week 12, while Rivers may have to wait even longer after suffering a Grade 3 PCL strain.
Henderson didn’t know he would start
Henderson began last week as an NFL free agent, but on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was the starting running back for the Rams. He was quickly signed to the practice squad and elevated to the active roster after the injuries to Williams and Rivers.
He did not expect to be the starter even as late as Sunday morning. However, he stayed ready when the opportunity arose.
