The LA Rams have elevated running back Dean Connors to the 53-man roster to fill in for injured Ronnie Rivers. Rivers sustained a calf injury in the first half of Monday night’s game against the Giants and is listed as day-to-day.
Many Rams fans became enamored with Connors during the preseason, as his 26 carries for 96 yards doesn’t quite illustrate the impact he had on the field. He also added seven catches for 53 yards, including three TDs.
The undrafted free agent signed to the practice squad after
clearing waivers after failing to crack the Rams’ loaded RB room.
According to the Rams’ official website, Connors was the Southwestern League MVP as a senior in 2020 while attending Murrieta Valley High School. He was also an All-State performer in track.
Connors played for three years at Rice University before transferring to Houston for his final year. While in college, Connors appeared in 50 games (30 starts) and totaled 507 carries for 2,656 yards (5.2 avg) and 22 touchdowns to go along with 147 receptions for 1,166 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions.
While at Houston, he carried the ball 200 times and added 34 receptions. All told, with 234 touches, he accounted for 1,231 yards and 9 TDs.
While he primarily served as a highly productive, versatile three-down running back at Rice and Houston, he also contributed on special teams. Something the Rams will be looking for.
Connors had several highlight reel plays but none better than this:
Surprisingly, Ronnie Rivers had only two special teams snaps this season. Connors may or may not find a role there, but he makes a decent insurance piece if Kyren Williams or Blake Corum miss time.
