Rams RB Kyren Williams feeling '200 percent' coming off ankle injury in win over Cardinals

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams exploded in his return to the lineup.

The second-year RB generated 204 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s 37-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Williams rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries and added six catches for 61 yards and two scores in his first game off injured reserve.

When questioned about his ankle condition following the victory, Williams responded with a witty remark:

“How many — 200 yards from scrimmage?” he said, via the team’s official website. “I want to say (I feel) 200 percent this time.”

The quote was a twist on Williams’ remark from Friday, when he announced he was “150 percent” ready for his return on Sunday.

According to NFL Research, Williams made NFL history as the first player to achieve 140 or more rushing yards, at least six receptions, over 60 receiving yards, and two or more receiving touchdowns in a single game. The 23-year-old also became the first Rams running back to gain over 200 scrimmage yards in a game since Todd Gurley’s performance in Denver during Week 6 of 2018.

Despite missing some games, Williams achieved his fourth game with two or more scrimmage TDs in 2023 on Sunday, tying for the highest in the NFL.

The sophomore running back had a strong start before he encountered an ankle injury in Week 6 against the Cardinals. This led to him missing four games, creating an unusual situation. In the two consecutive games he played, both against Arizona (Weeks 6 and 12), Williams managed to rack up over 150 scrimmage yards. This makes him the first player in NFL history to achieve over 150 scrimmage yards in two successive games against the same team.

“Kyren is an exceptional football player. His passion for competition, his zest for the game, and his enjoyment on the field are all natural to him,” said Head Coach Sean McVay. “Besides, he’s highly productive. He’s been doing a great job. Kyren is very conscientious and loves to compete. He’s put a lot of work into getting himself back to performing at this level. It was great to see.”

Williams’ play embodies a youthful Rams team that is rapidly advancing into contention. With a 5-6 record, McVay’s team is just one game away from a wild-card spot, with six games left to play.