Dean Connors is on the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster now, and that alone puts a little heat on Ronnie Rivers’ spot once he gets back from injured reserve.
The undrafted rookie running back was promoted from the practice squad last week, then signed Tuesday to the active roster to handle the role Rivers leaves behind while he recovers from a calf injury. Rivers has to sit out at least the next three games. To make room, the Rams waived safety Tanner Ingle, though he could land back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
For the moment, Connors is there to help on special teams more than on offense. He played nine snaps against the Broncos and handled one kickoff return for 23 yards. In anything outside garbage time, his workload figures to stay light.
Still, this is the kind of move that can turn into something more if the player keeps flashing. Connors’ stay on the active roster is being treated as temporary, but if he plays well enough that the Rams don’t want to risk losing him on waivers, the conversation changes fast. Rivers may be the one paying closest attention.
During the preseason, Sean McVay called Rivers “ the guy he trusts” behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. That trust helped explain why the Rams were comfortable trading 2025 fourth-rounder Jarquez Hunter. For now, Rivers remains the guy until further notice.
Connors, though, brings a different kind of appeal. He finished his college career at Rice and Houston with three straight seasons of at least 1100 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns. At 23, he also offers more long-term upside than Rivers, who is 27 and was also undrafted.
He isn’t just a runner, either. Connors showed he can do a little of everything, including catching passes, running with power and blocking willingly. That blend of traits gives him a real shot to force the Rams into a tougher roster call later on.
The organization still has the upper hand with Rivers, who has spent five seasons with the team and built real equity. It would be a surprise to see LA move on from him in season. But if Connors performs well enough, that question may not go away for long.
The more realistic decision point comes in the offseason. If Connors plays too well to cut, the Rams could end up carrying four backs again, just as they did last season with Hunter. Whether that makes sense is another matter, especially if other parts of the roster need help.
That’s the real wrinkle here: this isn’t a knock on Rivers, who has been a dependable contributor. It’s about whether Connors gives the Rams a younger, more explosive option worth keeping around when Rivers is healthy again.
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