Rivers signed his contract tender with the Rams on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Rivers suited up for nine games in 2023 as a backup to Kyren Williams, logging 32 carries for 129 yards and while securing all five of his targets for 22 yards. He and Zach Evans could have a chance to compete for the No. 2 backfield role this offseason, pending Los Angeles' additions in the 2024 NFL Draft and/or free agency. Rivers has looked solid in limited action as a pass catcher, which could open further paths for opportunities on offense if he's able to impress in the coming months.

The Rams have extended a contract tender to Rivers, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

By offering Rivers, an exclusive rights free agent, a contract tender, he can't negotiate with other teams this offseason. The stage is thus set for the 25-year-old to return the the Rams' backfield in 2024. Rivers carried 32 times for 129 yards and caught all five of his targets for 22 yards in nine games this past season while working behind Kyren Williams. Looking ahead, the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder should continue to maintain a rotational role in Los Angeles' RB corps, which will also include 2023 sixth-rounder Zach Evans, among others.

Rivers rushed three times for nine yards and caught all three of his targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 24-23 wild-card round loss to the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Rivers got most of his playing time down the stretch after Kyren Williams suffered a hand injury. Rivers will be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, so he's likely to be brought back by the Rams in 2024, but Williams is expected to remain the lead back when healthy on the heels of a breakout season.

Rivers rushed 13 times for 52 yards and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 21-20 win over the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Breakout tailback Kyren Williams was rested along with several other key starters for Sunday's inconsequential contest, which afforded Rivers a chance to make a rare start. The stout RB averaged 4.0 yards on his 13 carries, but he finished as his club's second-leading rusher behind quarterback Carson Wentz's 17-56-1 line. Rivers nearly doubled his season rushing total from his previous eight appearances, highlighting just how small his role is when Williams is active -- which should be the case for next Sunday's playoff matchup against the Lions.

Rivers caught his only target for four yards during Sunday's 26-25 victory against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

With Kyren Williams (20-87-3) against dominating reps at running back, Rivers was the only other back on the roster to take the field on offense, as Royce Freeman was relegated to special teams work. While Rivers managed just four yards on his only touch, his usage might see a spike in Week 18's season finale against the 49ers. The Rams secured a playoff spot with their win and a Seahawks loss but are locked into either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed. How much the difference in seeding matters to coach Sean McVay against a 49ers team that's already set as the No. 1 seed in the NFC will likely determine how much playing time Williams and Rivers get in Week 18.

Rivers rushed six times for 20 yards during Thursday's 30-22 victory against the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Royce Freeman's time as the primary backup to Kyren Williams came to an abrupt end against New Orleans, as Freeman only saw the field on special teams, while Rivers took 15 snaps on offense to the 55 of Williams. Rivers was inefficient as a runner save for a 10-yard scamper to end the third quarter, but the second-year back has clearly returned to a backup role that could pay big dividends if Williams -- who briefly left the game after taking a big hit in the third quarter -- were to miss time down the stretch.

The Rams activated Rivers (knee) from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game against the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Rivers was designated for return from IR on Tuesday and was a full participant in two walk-through sessions this week, and though the Rams appear to be comfortable enough with his health to add him back to the 53-man roster, he may be in store for only a minor role Thursday. Before landing on IR on Oct. 18 with a PCL sprain, Rivers had emerged as the top understudy to starting running back Kyren Williams and averaged a respectable 4.4 yards on 13 carries to go with four catches for 18 yards over his six appearances for the Rams. However, given Rivers' lengthy layoff along with the fact that Royce Freeman has been similarly efficient in a reserve role, Rivers could find himself as the No. 3 option on the depth chart moving forward.

Rivers (knee) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game versus the Saints, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since the team designated him for return from injured reserve Tuesday, Rivers managed back-to-back full walkthroughs to cap Week 16 prep. If he's activated by 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, he'll resume a reserve role out of L.A.'s backfield against New Orleans along with Royce Freeman behind starter Kyren Williams. In six appearances this season, Rivers averaged 4.4 yards on his 13 carries and gathered in all four targets for 18 yards.

Rivers (knee) was a full participant at Tuesday's walkthrough, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

After he was designated for return from injured reserve Tuesday, Rivers was able to handle every rep presented to him, perhaps a good sign that he'll rejoin the active roster ahead of Thursday's game against the Saints. Even if he does, though, Kyren Williams has been dominating the Rams backfield this season, when healthy, and Royce Freeman also gets his fair share of touches on a weekly basis. As for Rivers, his season tallies include 13 carries for 57 yards and four catches (on four targets) for 18 yards in six appearances.

The Rams designated Rivers (knee) for return from injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to spraining his PCL in Week 6, Rivers showed some flashes in the first six games of the campaign. averaging 4.4 yards on his 13 carries and also hauling in all four targets for 18 yards. The Rams play the Saints on Thursday, so he doesn't have much time to put himself in a position to return to action this week. Having said that, Tuesday's practice report will reveal how much work Rivers was able to handle.