Los Angeles Rams lost to the Detroit Lions 24-23 on Wild Card Weekend, just missing the opportunity to move on to the NFC Divisional Round.
In the fourth quarter, head coach Sean McVay assisted in setting up the Rams for a drive that would have won the game, but they were forced to punt after failing to convert. Among the notable players absent from the Rams’ last drive was Kyren Williams, the running back.
Up until then, Williams’s performance had been comparatively quiet for an All-Pro Second Team selection. Williams had 13 carries for 61 yards and one catch for nine yards going into the last drive. On the last drive, though, Ronnie Rivers played every running back snap because Williams had injured his hand on the previous drive, which ended with a field goal by the Rams to narrow the deficit to one point.
In contrast to Tyler Higbee, who suffered an ACL tear, Williams’s exact actions were not immediately apparent. However, McVay later disclosed that Williams shattered his hand, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
Williams now has his second serious injury of the 2023 campaign. During the regular season, he missed four games due to a sprained ankle. He still managed to finish the season with 1,144 rushing yards, which is the third-highest total in the NFL, despite that injury. It also didn’t prevent him from being named to the All-Pro Second Team and the Pro Bowl.
And while hand surgery does seem like a serious injury, this isn’t the kind of injury that would drastically change Williams’ offseason training schedule. Williams should be back on the field when the Rams start training camp in the summer of 2024, assuming everything goes as planned.
Williams has established himself as an essential component of L.A.’s offensive attack and a major factor in their success in 2023, so they will need it.
Sean McVay commends the 2023 Rams.
Given how the Rams surprised almost everyone by going on a postseason run and finishing just outside of the Divisional Round, McVay had nothing but praise for this season’s squad.
“Thought we had our chances, but I’m so proud of this football team,” McVay said after the loss. “You are aware that it’s still ultimately…Although it doesn’t quite resonate, I learned a lot from this group and truly value them. You know how much I adore this, and how they helped me find my way again.”