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As fantasy football managers prepare their lineups for Week 7, injury situations will shape their decisions and separate the winners from the losers. Several players are dealing with injuries that carried over from game action in Week 6.
Let's check in on injuries for the Los Angeles Rams running backs ahead of their Week 7 Sunday afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Is Kyren Williams on track to play in Week 7? Should I pick up and start Royce Freeman? Below, we attempt to answer these key questions.
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Is Kyren Williams Playing In Week 7?
Williams suffered an ankle injury during Week 6 versus the Arizona Cardinals. It was a tough development for the running back, the Rams, and Williams' fantasy managers considering he has broken out to the tune of 456 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns through just six games this season.
Nevertheless, managers will be without the breakout running back for a little while. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Williams has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle. The injury isn't enough to warrant a stint on injured reserve, but he's still expected to miss at least one game.
Is Royce Freeman Starting In Week 7?
Over the past few weeks, an injury to Williams would have left Ronnie Rivers in position to draw a spot start. However, Rivers (knee) also suffered an injury in Week 6 versus the Cardinals. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Rivers has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 PCL sprain. He will likely land on injured reserve, holding him out for four to five weeks.
With both Williams and Rivers sidelined, the next man up in the Rams' backfield is rookie Zach Evans. The 22-year-old rushed four times for 10 yards last Sunday and was the only healthy running back on the Rams' roster heading into Tuesday. However, the team also promoted Royce Freeman from its practice squad, a move that warrants further analysis as we break down what to expect from the Los Angeles backfield in Week 7.
The Rams are firmly in playoff contention and would secure the No. 7 seed if the season ended today. As a result, it would not be shocking to see head coach Sean McVay start a reliable veteran over an inexperienced rookie at running back. This, of course, bodes well for Freeman given his five-plus years of experience in the NFL. At the same time, though, we must not ignore depth charts and draft capital. Los Angeles invested a sixth-round pick in Evans, an Ole Miss product, and has consistently listed him third on the depth chart behind Williams and Rivers.
Seeing Freeman carve out a significant role on Sunday would surprise nobody, but at this point, it has seems likely that Evans gets first dibs on the backfield by drawing the start and leading the team in carries.
Should I Start Royce Freeman For Fantasy Football?
Although Evans is the early favorite to lead the Rams' backfield, Freeman still has some fantasy value. The 31-year-old's veteran presence and experience will earn him playing time, as will his excellent pass-blocking ability. Getting on the field is the first step to earning touches, and Freeman will have no trouble earning snaps on Sunday.
Even if Freeman doesn't lead the team in touches, he should see enough opportunities to make him relevant from a fantasy football perspective. As bye weeks and injuries continue to weaken the availability of running backs, adding someone like Freeman is not a bad idea, even if his value only lasts one or two weeks.
Freeman ranks as a high-end RB4 in fantasy football this week.
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