When Los Angeles Rams running backs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers suffered injuries in the same week and were both placed on injured reserve, L.A. had to turn to some familiar names to man their backfield while they recovered. One of the names they picked was Myles Gaskin, the former Miami Dolphins running back who had been spending his time on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.
Gaskin came over to the Rams active roster, but ultimately never saw time on the field. The Rams instead opted to feature an even more familiar face in Darrell Henderson as well as Royce Freeman. It ended with Gaskin getting waived during the bye week, especially as the Rams anticipate Williams’ return from IR.
It didn’t take long for Gaskin to find a new home right back where he began the season with Minnesota, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Back to Minnesota: The Vikings are signing running back Myles Gaskin to their practice squad after the Rams signed him away from Minnesota, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2023
Gaskin does not have a carry with either the Rams or the Vikings this season, but his opportunity may be coming soon in Minnesota. Starting running back Alexander Mattison suffered a concussion during the team’s Week 10 game, and the team quickly turned around and brought Gaskin back into the mix.
The fifth-year running back is not far removed from very efficient seasons with the Dolphins as both a runner and a pass-catcher in 2020 and 2021. Perhaps he’ll have a chance to get back to that and help the Vikings with their postseason push.
Despite losing quarterback Kirk Cousins for the season, the Vikings are still the NFC’s No. 7 seed and with a comfortable lead over any competitors.
Matthew Stafford feeling better than expected
The Rams were shorthanded in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers and they sorely missed Matthew Stafford who was forced to sit out due to the UCL sprain he suffered on his thumb against the Dallas Cowboys. Los Angeles signed Carson Wentz to backup Stafford, a signal that he could perhaps step in for their Week 11 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
However, it sounds like Stafford’s making progress and should be able to return after the bye.
“Thumb’s feeling better than I thought it would,” Stafford said. “I was a little bit scared in the Dallas game that it was gonna be worse than it was and just happy that it’s not. I’m gonna do everything I can to be out there. I love playing this game and love competing, so I’m gonna do whatever I need to do to be out there.”
