The Los Angeles Rams made an expected move, placing backup running back Ronnie Rivers on injured reserve. Rivers suffered a Grade 3 PCL sprain during Sunday’s Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
It was hinted that this was going to happen throughout the week, as Sean McVay had stated it would not be surprising to see an IR stint for Rivers.
Rivers had not played much for the Rams this season, appearing in all six games but getting a total of 17 touches — 13 carries and four receptions — behind starting running back Kyren Williams. Once the Rams traded Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season, though, Rivers became the primary backup.
Rivers is now unable to return to action for at least the next four weeks, but it’s unclear how long he will need to be out. The Rams have a Week 10 bye and return to action in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. Rivers would be eligible to return for that game should he recover in time.
The Rams brought Rivers in for their practice squad in October of last year after the 2022 undrafted free agent spent time with both the Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals. He never took a snap for either team, ultimately landing with the Rams and getting an opportunity when injuries plagued the 2022 roster.
The Rivers injury comes at an especially difficult time as Williams, the starter since the Akers trade, also went down with injury in the same game, meaning the Rams had to dig deep to find a new starter. Rivers would have had a real opportunity to start if not for his own injury.
Rams running back options
In addition to third-stringer Zach Evans, the Rams brought in a host of veterans, including Royce Freeman, Myles Gaskin and Darrell Henderson to their practice squad. Freeman was originally on the practice squad and was activated with the news of the two backfield injuries.
Gaskin was signed directly to the active roster from the Vikings practice squad, and Henderson was added as a free agent to the practice squad.
The Rams now must use a makeshift running back core to try and defeat a stout defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. L.A. had figured something out with their run game in the second half of the win over the Cardinals, but it is back to square one with both Williams and Rivers out for the foreseeable future.
