The Los Angeles Rams are facing significant challenges just two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, starting with an 0-2 record. The road ahead appears even more daunting as the team grapples with a series of impactful injuries.
Injury Woes Plague Key Players
Leading the injury list is star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who will miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This injury is particularly concerning as it mirrors an ankle injury he sustained in 2022, which required season-ending surgery. The Rams' offensive line is also struggling with setbacks; guard Jonah Jackson is nursing a shoulder injury, while safety John Johnson III faces a similar plight. All three players are candidates for injured reserve, placing further strain on an already beleaguered roster.
Head coach Sean McVay commented on the situation, highlighting the instability on the offensive front: "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild." McVay also expressed concerns about the availability of injured reserve spots, stating, "We're kind of running out of those [injured reserve] spots and we're only into Week 3 in terms of the return to play, but that is a possibility for all of those guys."
Matthew Stafford, who missed the latter half of the 2022 season with a spinal cord contusion and concussion, has struggled to find his footing early this season. In the recent loss against the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford threw for 216 yards but lost a critical fumble after being sacked five times. His average time to throw was 3.25 seconds in Week 2, the fifth-longest in the league, reflecting the ongoing issues with the offensive line.
Defensive Struggles and Rising Rookies
The Rams' defense is also feeling the impact of injuries and retirements. The departure of Aaron Donald has left a significant void in the defensive front seven, forcing the team to rely on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, who were first and second-round picks in 2024. In addition, corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick are currently on injured reserve, further straining the team's defensive capabilities.
Last season, the Rams enjoyed the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury, an extraordinary turnaround from 2022 when they finished second in the same metric. As noted by Frank Schwab, "It went from 146.6 AGL in 2022 to 26.4 last season, which is an incredible shift and shows how injury luck often has no rhyme or reason."
However, the current spate of injuries has pundits worried. Schwab pointed out, "One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season." The Rams' good fortune in terms of injuries last year was an anomaly, and they are facing a harsh reality as they navigate the early part of this season with a depleted squad.
Draft Prospects and Future Outlook
The Rams hold their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft, along with additional sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. These picks could provide critical reinforcements as the team looks to rebuild and address their injury concerns. However, as no NFL team starting the year 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl, the pressure is on for the Rams to turn their season around quickly.
With the roster in flux and key players sidelined, the Rams are staring down a challenging season. The coaching staff and remaining players will need to adapt quickly to overcome these obstacles and return to a competitive form. The resilience and depth of the team will be put to the test as they strive to avoid an 0-3 start and the gloomy historical precedent that accompanies it.
The Los Angeles Rams' current predicament underscores the unpredictable nature of the NFL, where injury luck can shift dramatically from one season to the next. Head coach Sean McVay and his team must now navigate this treacherous terrain, addressing both the immediate challenges and the long-term implications for the franchise.