Rams RB Benny Cunningham announces return in Snapchat post

Benny Cunningham/Snapchat

Benny Cunningham/Snapchat

Benny Cunningham announced in a Snapchat post on Thursday that he will be returning to the Los Angeles Rams, allowing the franchise to maintain depth behind star tailback Todd Gurley.

Cunningham, who as a restricted free agent was tendered with a low-level qualifying offer, posted a picture of his contract, superimposed with the words “#LA LETS DO THIS.” (The image was first noted by @wynnde13 and posted by Turf Show Times.) By signing his tender, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound back will net himself $1.671 million.

Since going undrafted out of Middle Tennessee State in 2013, the Nashville native has rushed for 647 yards in the last three seasons and returned 73 kickoffs for 1,976 yards. He ranked fifth in the NFL in 2015 with 714 kick return yards. He took a visit with the New England Patriots in early March, but the Rams had already set up a locker for him when they moved into their temporary Oxnard practice facility this week.

While the Rams are set in the backfield with Gurley, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, the status of backup running back Tre Mason remains unclear. Mason is due to appear in court on April 11 after being arrested on misdemeanor driving and marijuana possession charges. Head coach Jeff Fisher said last month that he expects Mason to be present for the team’s offseason program, which begins April 18.