Matthew Stafford participated in the start of the Los Angeles Rams’ organized team activities earlier this week, despite ongoing contract issues. However, another key player crucial to the Rams’ success this upcoming season is currently not practicing with the team.
According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, star running back Kyren Williams is sitting out the initial OTAs due to a foot injury. Rodrigue reports that Williams is not expected to return until training camp. The seriousness of the injury is unknown, but his absence from minicamp and other off-season activities is concerning for the Rams.
The backdrop here is obvious. Los Angeles faces an uphill climb to compete with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West this coming season
While San Francisco has been elite against the pass over the past few seasons, its defense has struggled to an extent stopping the run.
Williams went for 100 total yards in his sole appearnace against the Rams’ chief rival last season. All said, San Francisco yielded north of 100 rushing yards in nine of 17 games last season. Even more so than Matthew Stafford and the passing game, being able to provide a consistent rushing attack will be important for the Rams in their two games against San Francisco this coming season.
A fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame back in 2022, Williams jumped on to the scene as a sophomore this past season. The 23-year-old back recorded 1,350 total yards at a clip of 5.2 yards per touch. To say that he’s important to the Rams’ success would be an understatement.
Los Angeles did select former Michigan running back Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft in April. It also has Ronnie Rivers returning. Depth isn’t an issue for Sean McVay and Co. However, this is concerning given Williams’ importance to Los Angeles on offense.
