Multi-week absence expected Williams (ankle) is expected to miss multiple contests but should return to action after the Rams' Week 10 bye at the latest, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Impact Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reported Monday that Williams was likely to miss the Rams' Week 7 game against the Steelers due to the sprained ankle he sustained late in this past Sunday's 26-9 victory against the Cardinals, but Fowler suggests the running back could be in line to miss more time beyond this week. If Williams is in sidelined through the Rams' bye, he would be in line to miss three games before returning to action Nov. 19 against the Seahawks. With backup Ronnie Rivers (knee) expected to miss 4-to-5 weeks due to an injury of his own, the Rams' lead backfield role could thus be up for grabs with matchups against the Steelers, Cowboys and Packers on deck. Though head coach Sean McVay hasn't revealed his plans for the backfield, he intimated that rookie sixth-round pick Zach Evans may get the first chance to start, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. Even so, Evans may not be handed a clear lead role, as the Rams signed Royce Freeman off their practice squad and Myles Gaskin off Minnesota's practice squad to bolster their backfield. The team also added veteran Darrell Henderson to the practice squad.
OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE