Sony Michel has done a nice job as the Rams’ starting running back while Darrell Henderson Jr. has been sidelined by both a thigh injury and COVID-19, but Sean McVay still isn’t committing to him as the team’s workhorse or starter now that Henderson is on his way back.
McVay spoke with reporters Sunday and indicated that the Rams will use Michel and Henderson as long as both are available, and he opted not to name a starter.
“We’ll use them both. Sony has done a great job these last couple weeks. We know how reliable Darrell is. So, both those guys, if they’re both up and available, we’ll utilize both those guys,” McVay said. “As far as the starter, who gets more, it’ll be a feel for the flow of the game. I look at it as like we have two starting backs and then you’ll have Mekhi (Sargent) and Jake (Funk) available, if need be, as well.”
This is mostly relevant to fantasy owners who have plugged in Michel to their starting lineup the last two weeks. He’s run the ball effectively and McVay likes the way that he fights for extra yards with his physicality, but Henderson is more of a big-play threat and a change-of-pace back.
Their contrasting styles make them a good one-two punch, keeping defenses off-balance. We’ll see how McVay deploys them and who gets more touches against the Seahawks on Tuesday, but there’s no reason to believe Michel will go back to the very limited workload he had before Henderson got hurt.
