Running back Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams lit up the field upon his return.
The Arizona Cardinals were defeated 37-14 on Sunday thanks to two touchdowns and 204 scrimmage yards from the second-year running back. In his first game back from injury reserve, Williams ran for 143 yards on 16 carries and added six receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
Williams joked when asked how his ankle felt following the victory:
According to the team’s official website, “How many — 200 yards from scrimmage?” he asked. “I want to say (I feel) 200 percent this time.”
The quotation was a parody of Williams’ statement from Friday, in which he declared himself “150 percent” fit for Sunday’s comeback.
According to NFL Research, Williams became the first player in NFL history to record more than 140 yards of rushing, six or more receptions, sixty or more receiving yards, and two or more receiving touchdowns in one game. In Week 6, 2018 against Denver, the 23-year-old became the first Rams running back to have 200 or more scrimmage yards since Todd Gurley.
Despite missing action, Williams tied for the most scrimmage touchdowns in the NFL on Sunday, the fourth game of 2023 in which he had two or more.
The second-year back was having a great season when he was hurt in Week 6 against the Cardinals. Williams’s four-game absence created an anomaly, as he produced more than 150 scrimmage yards in back-to-back games against Arizona in Weeks 6 and 12. He is the first player in NFL history to start two straight games with 150+ scrimmage yards against the same opponent.
“He’s a really good football player, and he’s one of those guys (that) he loves competing, and when you’ve got that natural just zest and enjoyment for going out there and playing the game and then oh by the way, you’re really productive,” Sean McVay, the head coach, said. “He’s really doing a fantastic job. Kyren simply possesses such diligence. He enjoys competing greatly. He has put in a lot of effort, even just to get himself back to that level of performance. It was interesting to observe.”
Williams’ performance perfectly captures a young Rams team that is making a run at the title. With six games left, McVay’s team is one win away from a wild-card berth at 5-6.