Sean McVay explains why Rams RB Blake Corum didn't take an offensive snap in the season opener against the Lions

The Los Angeles Rams' 26-20 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions didn't go according to plan in more ways than one. Matthew Stafford probably didn't expect star wideout Puka Nacua to suffer an injury that would land him on the injured list, or his offensive line to suffer multiple injuries that would force Sean McVay to adjust his game plan.

Another interesting decision by the Rams was the rotation of running backs. Los Angeles selected former Michigan running back Blake Corum with the No. 83 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he did not play a single offensive game in his first game. Why was that? McVay explained his thinking on Monday.

“I think every game will be its own entity,” McVay said on Pro Football Talk. “It was a very unique circumstance because when we lost so many of our [offensive] The linemen were banged up, so that limited some of the differences — basically, we weren't playing our game plan. We really had to change things 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. [Rivers] a little more involved. I want to be able to get Blake [Corum] also involved. … [B]”Judging by the way the game went, it was 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.”

Last year, Corum led the FBS in rushing touchdowns with 27 and total touchdowns with 28 for the undefeated Wolverines. He rushed for 1,300 yards from the line of scrimmage in each of his final two college seasons and was meant to take some of the pressure off Kyren Williams, who hasn't yet been healthy and played a full season. Instead, it was Ronnie Rivers who stepped up as the “RB2,” rushing for 16 yards on two runs.

The Rams managed just 83 rushing yards in their season opener, the eighth-lowest total of any NFL team. Stafford attempted 49 passes while his running backs had 20 rushing attempts. It's clear the Rams placed an emphasis on moving the ball through the air considering how things went in Detroit on Sunday night. That's a big reason why Corum wasn't part of the game plan.