After starting the 2024 season with a heartbreaking loss in extra time to the Detroit Lions, the Los Angeles Rams look to get again on monitor once they face the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The Rams can be considerably shorthanded of their Week 2 matchup in opposition to the Cardinals as a number of key gamers are sidelined because of damage. Large receiver Puka Nacua (knee) and offensive linemen Steve Avila (knee) and Joe Noteboom (ankle) have been positioned on injured reserve this week.
The trio will now miss a minimal of 4 video games, although head coach Sean McVay indicated they may very well be out even longer than that.
The Rams are additionally with out left sort out Alaric Jackson, who’s serving the ultimate recreation of his suspension. Proper sort out Rob Havenstein (ankle) is anticipated to return, nevertheless, after lacking Week 1.
The Rams ought to have a pair reserves making begins this week, together with Beaux Limmer at heart and Warren McClendon Jr. at left sort out. In some optimistic information, Kevin Dotson is anticipated to be wholesome sufficient to begin at proper guard in Week 2.
On protection, the Rams may very well be with out cornerback Cobie Durant, who suffered a toe damage in opposition to the Lions. L.A. introduced a well-known face again to their apply squad in Ahkello Witherspoon, who provides the crew some depth on the place.
Due to the aforementioned accidents, the Rams are 1.5-point underdogs in opposition to the Cardinals. Nonetheless, the crew has dominated their NFC West rival beneath McVay, going 13-2 in opposition to them since 2017.
The Cardinals may very nicely be 1-0 coming into their matchup with the Rams, however they blew a 17-3 lead in opposition to the Buffalo Payments of their common season opener and fell by a closing rating of 34-28.
Cooper Kupp repeat efficiency
It’s extremely unlikely that Cooper Kupp will be capable of replicate his monster line in opposition to the Lions, however the Rams want him to step up with Nacua out.
Kupp is lastly wholesome once more and confirmed it in Week 1 when he traveled 436 yards in pre-snap movement alone. Matthew Stafford praised the Professional Bowl large receiver for the work he put in throughout the offseason to get again to his previous self.
Get Kyren Williams concerned
Kyren Williams had a considerably quiet recreation in opposition to the Lions, dashing for under 50 yards on 18 carries however scoring a landing.
Fortunately for the Rams and fantasy homeowners, he’s in a chief place to bounce again in opposition to the Cardinals. Williams rushed for 301 yards and scored three touchdowns in two video games in opposition to Arizona final season.
Comprise James Conner
The Rams have accomplished a great job in containing James Conner through the years, however they have been torched by the Lions’ run recreation final week and can want a greater effort in opposition to the Cardinals.
Conner rushed for 50 yards on 16 carries and scored a landing in opposition to the Payments in Week 1. He was held to 27 yards on six carries in his solely recreation in opposition to the Rams final season.
