Sean McVay explains why Rams RB didn't play against Lions

One of the biggest surprises of Week 1 for the Los Angeles Rams was Blake Corum's lack of involvement in the offense. He was healthy to start the season and played on special teams, but he never took the field with the Rams' offense once.

Despite all the hype he generated in the offseason, looking like the No. 2 prospect behind Kyren Williams, Corum was third in the order going into the opening game. It was Rivers who came in for Williams in seven games, not Corum.

Sean McVay was asked about the bizarre rotation of running backs – if you can even call it that – on Monday afternoon and explained why Williams played 71 of the 78 snaps and Corum played none.

“I think every game is going to be its own unit,” he said. “It was a very unique situation because when so many of our linemen were injured, it limited some of the different opportunities — basically, we couldn't operate according to our game plan. We really had to change things up in the middle of the game plan. When there are unforeseen things, you go with guys you trust and know. I think the way some of the drives unfolded, where there were long breaks in between … I think that's why our rotation of running backs and tight ends reflected like that. Colby Parkinson played 69 snaps. I think Kyren played 71, if you look at it. I want to get Ronnie involved a little bit more. I want to be able to get Blake involved, too. Davis [Allen] and Hunter [Long] got a few snapshots, but the way the game evolved, it was very unique for a lot of different reasons, none of which are probably what you're really looking for, but that's not how we envisioned the rotation.”

The Rams knew they had to go into the game without Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein. What they didn't know was that Joe Noteboom and Steve Avila would both get injured. However, it's not like they both got injured on the first or second series. Avila played nearly half the snaps (47%) and Noteboom played 35%.

McVay still had time to get Corum some chances before the line collapsed, but he trusted Williams and Rivers more than the rookie running back. Although he didn't mention pass protection, that was also likely a big reason for Corum's lack of playing time.

The Rams had a pass-heavy script against the Lions and needed someone they could trust in blitz pickup, an area Williams is one of the best in the NFL in. Corum is probably a little worse in pass protection as a rookie.

That's still not a good excuse for not giving Corum a run at all in a game where Williams didn't exactly shine (18 carries, 50 yards), but McVay felt more comfortable with the veteran back there than a rookie.