Sean McVay is not hiding the truth. The Los Angeles Rams face an injury crisis that has already surpassed the disaster of 2022. In that season, the team holding the Super Bowl title ended with a 5-12 mark, marking the poorest record ever for a defending NFL champion. Now, the roster looks like a hospital waiting room. Three players have suffered season-ending injuries in just two weeks. The revolving door to the training room is spinning too fast to count.
McVay told reporters this week that the pain in the locker room is deeper than ever before. “I’ve been the coach for 10 years, and I know 2022 was a season that we had a lot of injuries, particularly at the offensive line, but this has been more than any year, including ’22,” he said, according to the New York Post. The damage touches every part of the team. It is not just one unit struggling. Key players are out at different spots that are critical to the team’s identity on offense, defense, and special teams.
The Latest Casualties Hit Hard
The list of lost talent grows every day. Cornerback Jaylen Watson will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. He was one of the team’s best offseason signings. “He’s been such a stud for us,” McVay said. “He wanted to be able to play through it.” Watson joins defensive tackle Poona Ford, who tore his triceps, and kicker Blake Grupe, who suffered a torn ACL. These three were lost since the game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 18.
The injuries do not stop there. Myles Garrett had knee surgery. Davante Adams suffered a ruptured hamstring. Kobie Turner tore his groin. Running back Dean Connors broke his hand. Terrance Ferguson injured his ankle. Trent McDuffie battled a groin strain. Colby Parkinson has struggled with injuries to his shoulder and ribs. Puka Nacua has battled ongoing problems involving his core and calf muscles. The list is long and the timing is cruel.
Stafford Status vs. Garrett’s Return
There is some good news for Rams fans. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave the update on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday. “I haven’t heard anything to have me believe Stafford won’t be ready. So I would say for that one, I would expect him to be good to go [on Sunday],” Rapoport said, according to the New York Post. This is a relief after reports showed him leaving the locker room with ice on his arm.
Myles Garrett remains a bigger question mark. He has been sidelined since Week 1 but is returning to practice this week. Rapoport noted the team wants to be careful. “I was told that when he gets on the field for practice, that it should all happen very quick. So I think this week is in play, but we need to see how he actually responds.” If he plays, the defense gets a huge boost. If he sits, the unit must find a way to survive without its star.
Roasting the Competition
While the Rams fight through pain, their rivals are not having a great time. The Rams beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-9 in a game where Justin Herbert struggled mightily. Rams safety Quentin Lake picked off Herbert one of the two interception he threw that game. Lake did not hold back on the “St. Brown Podcast” when describing the passes. “I mean, [Herbert] was throwing deli meat out there. He’s seeing ghosts, I’m not going to lie,” Lake said with a laugh, according to the New York Post. He added, “Bro, I don’t know what’s going on, but we knew we were getting a couple.”
Herbert has thrown 10 interceptions compared with five touchdowns this season. The Rams are 4-4, but they are still in the mix. The team cannot afford to lose more bodies. McVay said they will “take it a day at a time.” The season is far from over, but the margin for error is gone. Every healthy player must be ready to go when the whistle blows.
