The beginning of the 2024 NFL season has not been variety to the Los Angeles Rams as they’re 0-2 and have already misplaced a variety of key gamers to accidents.
After their Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Rams have been pressured to position Puka Nacua, Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom on injured reserve with all three anticipated to overlook no less than a month of motion.
Issues didn’t get any higher in Week 2 because the Rams have been blown out by the Arizona Cardinals, 41-10, and the accidents continued to pile up.
Cooper Kupp was pressured to go away the sport round halftime after injuring his ankle, and left guard Jonah Jackson are security John Johnson III got here out as nicely after hurting his shoulders.
In response to head coach Sean McVay, all will miss prolonged intervals of time and are candidates to go in injured reserve, per Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
Sean McVay mentioned WR Cooper Kupp (ankle), OL Jonah Jackson (shoulder) and S John Johnson III (shoulder) will miss “an prolonged time period” with the accidents they sustained towards the Cardinals.
Jonah’s shoulder harm is a re-aggravation of earlier one.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 16, 2024
McVay mentioned none of those accidents are season-ending, however all three gamers are candidates for Injured Reserve
McVay additionally clarified it is an ankle sprain for Kupp
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) September 16, 2024
The Rams can solely positioned a complete on eight gamers on IR with a designation to return later within the season, and they’re already approaching that restrict simply two weeks into the season.
That is clearly a troublesome break for Kupp, particularly, after trying wholesome for the primary time in a number of years in Week 1. With him and Nacua each now out, Matthew Stafford will likely be counting on a receivings corps that now consists of Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington.
The Jackson loss can also be unlucky given the present state of the Rams offensive line. He’ll be a part of Avila on the shelf, leaving L.A. with out two key inside items. Left sort out Alaric Jackson will likely be again in Week 3 from his two-game suspension, so no less than the Rams can have each beginning tackles for the primary time this season.
Johnson is without doubt one of the few veteran leaders within the Rams’ locker room so will likely be an enormous loss even when his position on the sphere isn’t what it as soon as was.
The Rams have two stable safeties in Kamren Curl and Quentin Laker and are additionally excessive on rookie Kamren Kinchens, who may see extra snaps in Johnson’s absence. The staff additionally not too long ago waived Russ Yeast so may doubtlessly carry him again if Johnson does certainly land on injured reserve as is predicted.
Sean McVay discusses how Rams can bounce again from Cardinals loss
Though the Week 2 loss to the Cardinals was very disappointing for the Rams, there may be nonetheless plenty of season left and Sean McVay mentioned what they should do to bounce again.
“That is the NFL. These are conditions that sadly we now have been in earlier than, and I’ve gotta do job of determining how you can navigate that and ensure that we’re pleased with controlling the issues that we will management, maximizing the scenario and the circumstances that we’re positioned in and…this isn’t a enjoyable place to be in,” McVay mentioned.
“As a competitor you guys know me, I imply this chaps me to no finish…however it doesn’t do any good to sit down right here and dwell on it. What I’m not gonna do is pout about this shit. Alright? I’m gonna work out how can I’m going reply in a way that’s reflective of what I ask of our guys, and that’s precisely what guys are gonna see.”
