Kyren Williams is adapting his approach this season as he shares more carries and catches more passes with the Los Angeles Rams. This strategic shift aims to keep him fresher and better prepared for crucial games. “I feel like I”ve still got everything I need to be successful come Sundays, and that”s all I can ask for,” Williams stated on Wednesday.
In his prior two seasons, Williams was the primary running back, handling nearly every key carry when healthy, resulting in two seasons with over 1,100 rushing yards and a Pro Bowl selection. This year, although still the Rams” leading back, he is distributing the workload more evenly with second-year player Blake Corum, who has taken on greater responsibilities recently. Corum has recorded 38 carries in the last three games, including a personal best of 13 in each of the Rams” victories since their bye week.
Sean McVay, the Rams” head coach, downplayed any significant changes in the backfield dynamic. Williams continues to receive approximately two-thirds of the offensive snaps, which aligns with the team”s pre-season goals. The increase in Corum”s workload is intended to maximize Williams” effectiveness while minimizing wear and tear. “We have two backs that we feel great about,” McVay remarked. “Kyren is the lead dog… Kyren is the starting running back, but man, I have a ton of confidence in Blake Corum. He”s only getting better. This is going to be better for Kyren throughout the course of 17 games, and if you earn the right to play after that.”
This season marks the first time Williams has shared the backfield extensively, yet his performance remains impressive, and he does not regret the reduced physical toll. “I feel great physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually,” he said. “I”m taking care of my body even better than I was last year when I was getting those 20-plus carries nearly every game, but I feel great.”
Williams has reached the 20-carry mark in only two games this season, a notable decrease from the 15 times he achieved this in the previous two years. Currently, he ranks ninth in the NFL with 146 carries and stands 11th with 659 rushing yards. Additionally, he has made 22 receptions for 177 yards and scored three touchdowns, positioning him well to achieve career-highs in receiving statistics during Matthew Stafford“s strong start to the season.
During his first 14 NFL seasons, Stafford played alongside just one 1,000-yard rusher before Williams accomplished this feat in each of the past two years. Williams takes particular pride in his enhanced pass-catching skills, having taken time to develop into a reliable receiving option out of the backfield. “This year, Coach McVay and Matthew, I feel like they have more trust in me to be able to catch the ball and come out of the backfield,” he explained. “Early on in my (Rams) years, it seemed like I would always tip the ball, and it”d get picked off. I just wasn”t catching the ball because I was trying to turn up before I even caught the ball. Now I do see the trust. I see them knowing I can go out there and make those plays.”
Last week, Williams scored his fifth rushing touchdown of the season against San Francisco, bringing his career total to 30 in just 47 games. Only Eric Dickerson (30) and Todd Gurley (46) reached that milestone faster among Rams running backs. Williams attributes his success and health to the performance of his offensive line, which has excelled in both run blocking and pass protection for Stafford, a role in which Williams also plays a significant part. “They”re dominating the line of scrimmage and getting removal to where I don”t even feel like I”m getting touched until I”m 2 yards, 3 yards down the field,” he said. “When that”s where the first contact is made, we”re already ahead of the chains at that point. I just feel like it”s a little bit of me and a lot of my O-line.”
In injury updates, WR Davante Adams missed practice due to an oblique injury sustained against San Francisco, but McVay is optimistic about his status: “He”s feeling good, and I trust the man. He”ll be ready (for Sunday).” Additionally, DE Kobie Turner did not practice because of a back injury, while CB Darious Williams participated fully despite dealing with a lingering shoulder issue.
