Ronnie

Rivers

Rivers rotated into the backfield as the Rams’ No. 2 back in the second quarter of the team’s loss to the Bears. His best run went for 11 yards and he totaled 26 yards on six carries. Meanwhile, Blake Corum was not heard from at all this week. Rivers can be left on fantasy benches heading into Week 5 against the Packers.

Rivers remains the Rams’ No. 2 RB but his most impactful moment came via a fake punt in the first half where he successfully converted the first down. Rivers is just a bench stash heading to the Rams’ Week 4 matchup against the Bears.

With Rivers tendered, the second-year back is now locked in to return to the Rams in 2024. With less than three accrued seasons under his belt, a one-year contract at league minimum was all the Rams need to retain Rivers for next year. Rivers joined the Rams as a UDFA in 2022 after, and has rushed 41 times for 150 yards in his brief career as a backup while adding another 10 receptions for 51 yards.

Rivers looked solid when given the opportunities, creating some extra yards on multiple carries. However, the Rams were more than content to let Carson Wentz carry the ball more than any other player on the team, saving Rivers for back-up duties in the playoffs.

Active for the first time since Week 6 because of a knee injury, Rivers immediately reassumed No. 2 duties behind Kyren Williams. Royce Freeman didn’t receive a touch. Rivers, of course, was out-handled 22-6 by Williams. Were Williams to go down, Rivers would form a committee with Freeman.

Rivers last played in Week 6, serving as the primary backup to Kyren Williams after the team let Cam Akers go. Royce Freeman has since held down the primary change of pace role for the Rams, although the veteran could easily cede snaps and usage to Rivers moving forward. Either way, Williams currently holds one of the most valuable backfield roles in the league and should continue operating as a borderline workhorse to end the season.

Rivers last played in Week 6 before suffering a sprained knee. He was the primary backup to Kyren Williams as the Rams liked him enough to make Cam Akers expendable. With Royce Freeman the most recent Rams’ RB2 and performing decently, it’ll be interesting to see where Rivers falls in line.

Rivers suffered a sprained PCL in Week 6 and is expected to miss 4-5 weeks. With that as his timeline to return, a short stay on injured reserve makes sense for him and the Rams. With Kyren Williams also banged up, the Rams will roll with some combination of Zach Evans, Royce Freeman, Darrell Henderson, and Myles Gaskin for the next few weeks. Evans is most likely to get the start in Week 7, but expect a messy committee from this cohort of backups.

Kyren Williams (ankle) is expected to miss at least one week with an ankle sprain, but Rivers is at risk of going on injured reserve with his multi-week injury. With Williams and Rivers both likely to miss Week 7 against the Steelers, the Rams will likely look to rookie Zach Evans and veteran Royce Freeman to lead their backfield. Evans feels like the favorite to handle the majority of touches, although we would’ve expected the bell cow role Williams has enjoyed this season.

Rivers and teammate Kyren Williams (ankle) are both scheduled to have MRI’s to determine the severity of their injuries. Depending on what they reveal, it’s possible the Rams will be without both backs when they take on the Steelers in Week 7. It sounds like Rivers will be out at least one week even if the MRI doesn’t show anything severe. If he’s unable to go, rookie Zach Evans could have an increased role, but wouldn’t have much fantasy upside unless Williams was also sidelined.