Rams Re-sign Reserve RB Ronnie Rivers
The Los Angeles Rams are bringing back running back Ronnie Rivers, a key contributor on special teams who famously executed a fake punt in last season’s game against San Francisco. The Rams made the announcement Sunday morning, confirming they had agreed to a one-year contract with Rivers. This move comes as the team makes changes to its roster, re-signing some players while letting others go. Special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn is especially pleased by Rivers’ return.
What makes the re-signing notable is that the Rams reportedly opted not to tender Rivers as a restricted free agent, yet still brought him back. Rivers, who joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022, has spent his entire NFL career with the Rams, accumulating three seasons of service.
Rivers’ return is a big win for Blackburn, as the running back played 75.7% of his snaps on special teams last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He recorded four special-teams tackles, with his most memorable play coming in Week 3 against San Francisco. In the second quarter, down 14-0 and facing a fourth-and-6 from their own 43-yard line, Rivers took a direct snap on a fake punt and ran for a first down. This play helped set up a touchdown, and the Rams went on to win 27-24 with a last-second field goal.
In addition to his special-teams duties, Rivers, 26, occasionally played in the Rams’ backfield, backing up Kyren Williams. Over his three years with the team, he has averaged 4.0 yards per carry, totaling 249 yards on 63 attempts. Rivers has also accumulated 85 receiving yards on 15 receptions.
Despite a solid 2023 season, in which he recorded career highs of 129 rushing yards and 151 scrimmage yards, Rivers appeared in only nine games and finished the season on injured reserve due to a knee injury (sprained PCL).
Rivers entered the NFL as a rookie in 2022, initially waived by the Seahawks but later signed to the Rams’ practice squad. He made his NFL debut that season, playing in eight games. Standing 5-9 and weighing 192 pounds, Rivers hails from Fresno State. He originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a college free agent before joining the Seahawks. His father, Ron, was a 5-8 running back who played for the Detroit Lions alongside Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.