Latest Kyren Williams/Byron Young injury updates in Week 13 vs Panthers

The 9-2 Los Angeles Rams are struggling in Week 13, as the team seems to have bought into the pre-game hype. Los Angeles was heavily favored on the road, facing a desperate 6-6 Carolina Panthers team that is trying to bounce back from a Monday Night Football loss against the San Francisco 49ers.

But when it rains, it pours. And it's raining in Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. In a game with significant NFL playoff repercussions, Los Angeles has shown up less than focused. The offense has been running well, but running back Kyren Williams left the game due to a reported ankle injury.

Williams did get his ankle checked out and appears to be returning to the football field as the offense takes over. But even after Williams returned, the offense ran for five yards, but flipped to a passing attack that went nowhere, forcing the offense to punt the football.

And then outside linebacker Byron Young headed to the locker room.

Rams struggling against a potent Panthers team

This was never going to be an easy win. The Panthers were simply too motivated, and after tasting the chance of competing in the postseason, were simply far too desperate not to compete. Not only that, but the team was banged up entering this game. Outside linebacker Byron Young struggled to practice.

Meanwhile, nose tackle Poona Ford was questionable in this one. So was safety Kam Kinchens. And yet, a perfect scenario to run the football was ignored in this one. Well, until the final quarter.

With what was a must-score offensive drive, the Rams drove the football 89 yards in just six plays and 3:36 off the game clock. The best play of the drive was a one-handed circus catch by wide receiver Puka Nacua for 30 yards. And then, running back Kyren Williams ran it in for a touchdown from the seven-yard line.

The Rams passed for 30 yards, and rushed for 59 yards to score.

Rams 28
Panthers 31

Even as Los Angeles has taken the lead, the teams are still in a heated dogfight. The Rams defense has been a bit flat-footed in this one, and the winner may very well come down to who holds the football and scores in the closing minutes.

Both Byron Young and Kyren Williams returned to compete in the fourth quarter. But Los Angeles seems to have no ability to shut down a Panthers offense. On fourth downs, the Panthers offense has scored twice.

The Rams offense is taking the field with 6:34 remaining in the game. Will Matthew Stafford engineer another fourth-quarter comeback and game-winning drive? The game is on the line. Here we go.