The Los Angeles Rams are expecting Kyren Williams to return in Week 12 versus the Arizona Cardinals when he’s eligible to be activated off injured reserve. While the Rams will have to wait another week for Williams to return, Sean McVay discussed what the team has missed amid his absence.
“I think just everything that he brings, competitiveness, the production, feel as a runner, explosiveness, production in both the pass and the run, good feel and understanding for what we’re trying to get done in protection,” McVay said. “He just was playing at a really high level. I’ve been pleased with the job that Royce (Freeman) and Darrell (Henderson) have done kind of filling in in his absence but you look at where he was playing amongst these other really good players in the league, and he had a stretch where he is playing some really good football. So his production and just the overall presence and his competitiveness I think is what you’ve missed. He’s a really good player and we’re looking forward to getting him back.”
Williams suffered a high-ankle sprain back in Week 6 against the Cardinals after registering a career-best 158 rushing yards and a score on 20 attempts. Before being placed on injured reserve, Williams was the clear No. 1 back for the Rams, totaling 561 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 110 touches.
Once Williams was placed on injured reserve, the Rams brought back Darrell Henderson Jr. and activated Royce Freeman from their practice squad to split the backfield workload. Aside from a few plays, Henderson and Freeman have both been inefficient on the ground.
From Weeks 1 through 6 with Williams starting, the Rams were sixth in rushing EPA per play (0.012) and fourth in rushing success rate (45.3%). But with Henderson and Freeman splitting touches in the last three games, the Rams have fallen to 18th in rushing EPA per play (-0.171) and seventh in rushing success rate (42.9%) in that span.
Despite boasting a 3-6 record, Matthew Stafford is slated to start in Week 11 following a one-game absence. And in Week 12, the Rams are expecting to have Williams back in action leading the backfield in hopes of finishing the season strong.
