The defending champion Los Angeles Rams were pummeled by the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL season opener on Thursday night, and now they’re dealing with some unfortunate injury news.
Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on Friday that rookie running back Kyren Williams will have surgery for a high-ankle sprain suffered in the first quarter of Thursday night’s loss. Williams is expected to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks.
Sean McVay said RB Kyren Williams will have surgery today on a high ankle sprain and will be out six to eight weeks.
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) September 9, 2022
(The Rams lost a starting offensive lineman for multiple weeks as well.)
This news comes after Cam Akers had zero yards over three touches on Sunday night (which had the fantasy football world very frustrated). Darrell Henderson was the lead back for Los Angeles, totaling 73 yards over 18 touches (13 carries, five receptions).
Williams, 22, entered the season third on the Rams’ depth chart at running back after being selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame.
Kyren Williams 65 yards to the house! No. 4 Notre Dame with the early 7-0 lead over No. 1 Clemson. pic.twitter.com/wzjo2vyKEo
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 8, 2020
And with Akers — who’s been through a torn Achilles and most recently a soft-tissue injury — seemingly not trusted at this point by McVay, it’s possible that Williams would’ve played a real factor in the Rams’ offense soon.
Perhaps Williams will still get that opportunity this season, but it appears that will have to be at least a couple of months away.