The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious position as they limp into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season with an 0-2 record. Significant injuries to key players, coupled with inconsistent play, have left fans and analysts alike questioning the team's viability moving forward.
Injuries Plaguing the Rams
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, a cornerstone of the Rams' offense, will miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. Kupp previously suffered a similar injury in 2022, which ultimately required season-ending surgery. Adding to the Rams' woes, guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are both nursing shoulder injuries. All three players are prime candidates for injured reserve, further depleting the team's roster depth.
Head coach Sean McVay underscored the difficulties faced by the Rams' offensive line, stating, "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild." This lack of stability has been evident in their recent performances. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 216 yards but was sacked five times in the loss against the Arizona Cardinals, losing a fumble in the process. Stafford's average time to throw in Week 2 was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league, highlighting the offensive line's struggles.
The Impact of Defensive Departures
The Rams' defense has not been immune to setbacks either. The retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald has left a significant void in the front seven. In his absence, the team now relies heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, both high draft picks in 2024. Matters are further complicated with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick on injured reserve, weakening the secondary.
McVay acknowledged the challenging situation, remarking, "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." The rapid accumulation of injuries starkly contrasts the Rams' fortunes last season when they experienced the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury in the entire league.
A Glimpse at Last Season
The Rams experienced an extraordinary shift in injury luck from 2022 to 2023. As noted by sports analyst Frank Schwab, "In 2022 they dealt with numerous injuries and finished second in adjusted games lost due to injury. 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." Schwab further emphasized, "One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season."
The Road Ahead
No NFL team starting a year 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl, a daunting statistic that looms over the Rams. Despite the grim outlook, the team does retain their first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft, along with additional sixth-round picks acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. These future assets could provide crucial opportunities to rebuild and address gaps in the roster.
As the Rams struggle to navigate the early season turbulence, the health and performance of their key players will be pivotal. The team needs to chart a course to turn their season around amidst adversity. The resilience and adaptability of both players and coaching staff will be crucial as they attempt to defy the odds in the weeks to come.