LA Rams running backs, rotations, and social media for Week 7

Preparing to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7 has been a very difficult process for the LA Rams. That is particularly true for the Rams running back room which has suffered the loss of their top two running backs in Week 6, and must now retool and compete with a brand new backfield to carry the football this week.

Both running backs Ronnie Rivers and Kyren Williams have been placed on Injured Reserve. With their assignment to IR, the Rams must now play the next four games without either player.

Rams are placing RB Kyren Williams on injured reserve today due to his ankle injury, sidelining him at least four games, per sources. Williams now will be eligible to return in Week 12 at Arizona.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2023

To compensate for the loss of both runners, the Rams have signed veteran running back Royce Freeman off their practice squad. The team also signed running back Myles Gaskin off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and finished it off by signing former Rams RB Darrell Henderson Jr. to their own practice squad.

Henderson was elevated for Week 7.

The sudden influx of so many runners to the Rams offense has naturally led to a lot of questions and too few answers as to how the Rams will approach Week 7:

Rams’ HC Sean McVay on the backs involved in Sunday’s RB rotation vs. the Steelers: pic.twitter.com/ee9wNa8boa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2023

Of course, where is the fun in keeping the strategy for Week 7 under the lid? And so, just two days later, the Rams plans 'leaked' and suddenly the Rams plans gravitated to veteran running back Royce Freeman and former Rams rusher Darrell Henderson Jr:

Rams plan to lean on running backs Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson vs. the Steelers, per sources.

More: https://t.co/byl6OaWuEe
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2023

But even that seemed a bit odd, in that the Rams only running back who has been on their active roster all season has been rookie Zach Evans. So can we get a second opinion on how the Rams plan to distribute their carries in Week 7?

With their two top RBs Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers on Injured Reserve, the #Rams will have a whole new backfield today. Expect a balance of Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson, with some Zach Evans sprinkled in.

The ultimate RB-by-committee.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2023

Well, at least Zach Evans's name was added to the report. But this week, I made note of the fact that Henderson reportedly arrived at the Rams a bit out of NFL game shape. And I cannot accept that the Rams' small-runner-focused backfield will wholeheartedly embrace running the massive 238-pound veteran Royce Freeman (even though I would love that scenario).

Even the NFL Insiders are getting in on the act:

As I said on FOX pregame, Royce Freeman is a skilled blocker and smart in pass protection. With Watt/Highsmith out there, expect him to be on the field plenty for the Rams.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) October 22, 2023

And then there is this:

SOURCE: Darrell Henderson will start for the #Rams today against the #Steelers. He received the bulk of the 1st team reps in practice this week just after being signed to the practice squad five days ago. Expect to see a lot of Henderson in his first game back since last year. pic.twitter.com/IVfZVNlEWV
— JAKE ELLENBOGEN (@JKBOGEN) October 22, 2023

Who do you trust?

In my best estimation, I expect that the LA Rams run distribution for Week 7 will be as follows:

RB Zach Evans - 45 percent
RB Royce Freeman - 30 percent
RB Darrell Henderson - 25 percent

Of course, the Rams will have jet sweeps and quarterback scrambles in the bunch as well.

How do you see the Rams dolling out their carries in Week 7? Let us know in the comments section of our Facebook page.

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