The Los Angeles Rams saved a roster spot by making running back Kyren Williams its punt returner.
Head coach Sean McVay announced the decision after being asked why receiver and returner Xavier Smith didn't make the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.
"Kyren Williams is going to be our punt returner. It's another opportunity for him to get touches and impact the game," McVay said, via the team's official transcript. "You feel comfortable with that because of the confidence in Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers being able to spell him if need be. So that was what has made it tough for 'X'. He didn't do anything not to win the punt return job. It's just Kyren is a guy that we want to continue to have different ways that he can impact the game and that's one going to be reflected."
In 12 games in 2023, Williams averaged 21.6 touches per game, third-most in the NFL. He missed four games due to an ankle injury in the middle of the season.
The Rams selected Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft to help take on some of the workload. However, Williams remains in line for the bulk of the reps.
While Williams taking on punt-return duties could put the starting running back at a higher risk for injury, it's minimal -- certainly not enough to scare off the coaching staff.
The bigger takeaway from McVay's comments is that Corum and Rivers would "spell" Williams in the backfield "if need be." That sort of admission underscores that Williams should see most of the carries.
During his tenure, McVay's offenses have functioned better with a singular three-down runner. The coach often will talk up spreading the wealth during the offseason. Once the regular season starts, he generally goes with a primary back unless injury strikes or that player proves ineffective.
Corum could earn more carries as the season goes, but the rookie's primary job to open the season appears more as insurance in case Williams goes down with injury than as someone who will siphon off a significant number of touches.
