LA Rams sign veteran RB Royce Freeman following Sony Michel retirement

The Los Angeles Rams have signed veteran running back Royce Freeman following Sony Michel‘s retirement. Michel’s retirement was announced Saturday and the Rams signed Freeman on Sunday.

Freeman played in four games with one start last year for the Houston Texans.

He was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the No. 71 overall pick by the Denver Broncos. He spent three years with the franchise before splitting the 2021 season between the Texans and the Carolina Panthers.

The 27-year-old running back spent part of last season in Houston on the practice squad. He rushed for 117 yards on 41 carries.

For his career, Freeman has rushed for 1,473 yards on 394 carries with eight touchdowns. He has also caught 85 passes for 519 receiving yards and a score.

The Rams announced Michel’s retirement after five seasons Saturday. Head coach Sean McVay announced the news during a media availability.

“I thought just being back around him in these last couple of days, you just appreciate the influence that he has, the way that this guy works,” McVay said. “I think when you look at what he’s done going back to Georgia, throughout his rookie year when he broke my heart in ’18 and did a great job in New England, thought he was a hugely instrumental piece for our Super Bowl team a couple years ago. The epitome of a pro, great competitor, and his next chapter is going to be exciting.”

The Rams running back room now has Cam Akers, Zach Evans, Ronnie Rivers and Kyren Williams. None of the players have more than three years experience. Akers is entering his third season in the NFL. Williams and Rivers are both starting their second professional seasons. Evans is a rookie who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by Los Angeles.

McVay previewed signing another running back when he announced the news about Michel.

“So all four of those guys right now at running back have done a good job,” McVay said. “But I do think whether it’s a veteran or not, you definitely probably need to add a fifth body to that room, maybe even a sixth. So we’ll look at somebody.”