Rams place Kyren Williams on IR, will miss top 2 RBs for next 4 games

The Los Angeles Rams are facing a significant challenge at the running back position for the next month. On Saturday, the team announced that starting running back Kyren Williams and his top backup Ronnie Rivers have both been placed on injured reserve due to ankle and knee injuries, respectively. As a result, they will be sidelined for at least the next four games, including matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers, and the Seattle Seahawks. They will be eligible to return in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals on November 26.

Williams sustained his ankle injury in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals and was initially reported as week-to-week. With Williams and Rivers out, the Rams will rely on Zach Evans, Royce Freeman, Myles Gaskin, and Darrell Henderson Jr. in their running backs room. Evans, who has been on the active roster all season, saw his first action last week, gaining 10 yards on four attempts in garbage time. Freeman has spent time on the Rams’ practice squad, while Freeman and Henderson were recently signed.

Williams’ injury is a setback for the promising season he was having. The fifth-round pick from Notre Dame took over as the starting running back in Week 2 after outperforming Cam Akers and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. In the game against the Cardinals, Williams had his best performance to date with 158 rushing yards and a touchdown, surpassing his previous career high. As of now, he ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yards with 456 and is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns with six. Unfortunately, Williams also dealt with injuries in his rookie year, missing seven games due to a high ankle sprain in Week 1.