Rams waive RB Darrell Henderson, OLB Justin Hollins, create opportunities for young players – Orange County Register

The 3-7 Rams may have finally accepted that it’s time to prioritize younger players for the rest of the season based on the moves they made on Tuesday.

The Rams waived running back Darrell Henderson and outside linebacker Justin Hollins, two veteran players who have started multiple games this season. The team also dropped tight end Kendall Blanton from the practice squad.

Henderson got the bulk of the Rams’ runs through 10 games, but he struggled to make an impact and it didn’t help that he was playing behind a battered offensive line and pass-heavy offense that often abandoned racing game.

Henderson, the team’s 2019 third-round pick, was in the final year of his rookie contract and the Rams drafted his potential replacement earlier this year with the fifth-round selection of Kyren Williams.

With Henderson gone, it likely means more races for Williams and Cam Akers, who also has a cloudy future with the team after being sent home for nearly a month earlier this season due to differences with Rams coach Sean McVay. Henderson has 70 carries for 283 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games this season.

Henderson only received two carries in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints because his knee was bothering him during pregame drills, according to McVay. Akers received 14 carries for a team-best 61 yards and Williams recorded seven carries for 36 yards. Williams has only played three games this season because he injured his ankle in the season opener against the Bills.

The Rams could be forced into a heavy offense with Akers and Williams if mobile quarterback Bryce Perkins takes over for Matthew Stafford, who is being assessed for a potential second concussion this season.

Hollins, who joined the Rams in 2020, opened the season as the second starting rusher behind Leonard Floyd and had the daunting task of replacing Von Miller’s production – Miller joined the Buffalo Bills in free agency after helping the Rams to win a Super Bowl last season. Hollins, who recorded a sack, struggled to generate pressure and saw his snaps dwindle each week due to improvements in Terrell Lewis, the Rams’ 2020 third-round pick.

Lewis will now be a full-time starter, but he still has a lot to prove as the Rams will likely be looking for pass throwers this offseason. With seven games left in the regular season, the Rams will be evaluating inexperienced players to see which ones could help next season.