For the first 52 minutes of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, Rams rookie Darrell Henderson hadn’t stepped foot between the white lines. He spent the entire time on the sidelines, watching as Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown handled the workload at running back.
But with 7:21 left in the game and the Rams at the Panthers’ 5-yard line up three points, Henderson surprisingly trotted onto the field. It was a huge spot for a rookie who had played no snaps up to that point, given the circumstances and the area of the field the Rams were in.
Fans were shocked by Sean McVay’s decision to plug Henderson in after Gurley gained momentum with 41 yards on four carries during that drive. It wasn’t necessarily by design that way, though.
On ESPN Radio, McVay explained that it had to do with Gurley needing a breather and Brown getting an IV because of the heat and humidity in Charlotte.
“I know we were missing some key players in some important moments that I was wondering how long these IVs take to get these guys back on the field,” McVay said.
Host J.B. Long brought up the “and-goal situation where Malcolm Brown was nowhere to be found.”
“That was very true, you noticed that one,” McVay said. Malcolm was nowhere to be found. Brandin Cooks had to take a little bit of a breather. Malcolm’s veins must not have been working with us because he was gone forever. Either that or he had to use the bathroom. I don’t know which one it was.”
Later on in the show, McVay went deeper into the decision to play Henderson there and the confidence he has in the rookie.
“It was a good job by Jared (Goff) kind of getting everything coordinated and making sure that Darrell understood what to do in those situations and we have confidence in those guys,” McVay said. “Certainly, Todd and Malcolm were the ones carrying the load yesterday, but in an instance where Darrell had to go in, there wasn’t any hesitation on our part due to the confidence we have in him.”
Henderson’s carry went for no gain, but he stayed in the game for the next play, too. That was the touchdown pass to Tyler Higbee, which proved to be the difference. On that snap, Henderson split out as a receiver and ran a route into the flat, but Goff didn’t look his way.
Gurley received only one touch in the red zone and none in goal-to-go situations, which was surprising. The Rams likely would’ve preferred to keep him in on that crucial drive, but with the heat and humidity wearing on the players, Henderson got the call.
