Pressure mounts on Kyren Williams in wake of Puka Nacua injury absence

Can Kyren Williams step up in Week 7? It looks more and more likely the Rams need him to do exactly that.
Los Angeles Rams, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua
Los Angeles Rams, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua | Kevork Djansezian/GettyImages

The Los Angeles Rams have ruled veteran wide receiver Puka Nacua, their star offensive weapon, out for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to the lingering effects of an ankle injury. If head coach Sean McVay wants to stick with an aerial assault, he has many weapons in his arsenal. But the most likely scenario is rerouting passes to veteran Davante Adams.

A less-obvious scenario may prove to be more effective, though.

Rather than sticking with a passing attack that is without its most effective player, McVay could lean heavily into a ground assault.

That means that running back Kyren Williams may be doing the heavy lifting in Week 7.

After all, Williams has proven to be a dependable, proficient, and responsible player. Better still, he has been hot of late. So far, Los Angeles has managed to run a balanced offense with Nacua playing. It only makes sense to consider a rushing-attack scenario that controls the clock and minimizes turnovers.

Kyren Williams is going to have an even larger role in Week 7

Williams is a versatile offensive weapon who is gifted at running and receiving. In fact, next to Nacua's 616 receiving yards, the former Notre Dame tailback is the runner up, boasting 416 yards on the ground in addition to 155 yards through the air.

Toss in his five touchdowns scored in six games, and you quickly see why the offense will gravitate his way.

While he has yet to post 100-plus rushing yards in a game this season, he managed to do so four times in 2024, as well as once in the playoffs last January. As creative as Coach McVay can be, he often falls into the same pattern of play-calling. If that holds true in this game, Williams will break the 100 rushing yards barrier.

Will that be enough?

Not exactly. The Jaguars are incredibly effective at creating turnovers, while not gifting the football away to their opponents. Like it or not, fumbling the football is a Williams' weakness. He has lost two fumbles in six games this season, and three of five fumbles last year. Despite committing to better ball security this season, he has yet to show signs of improving.

Without Nacua on the football field, the offense will need to take risks. Either LA throws to Adams and hopes he catches the football, or it hands off to Kyren Williams, and hopes he doesn't fumble it.

As always, thanks for reading.

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