Rams Face Tough Start as Injuries Pile Up
Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves grappling with a challenging start. An 0-2 record has raised concerns, compounded by a spate of injuries to key players. The latest setback is a significant one, as wide receiver Cooper Kupp is sidelined with a left ankle sprain. This isn't Kupp's first experience with a severe ankle injury; a similar issue in 2022 required surgery and ended his season prematurely.
In addition to Kupp, the Rams are dealing with injuries to guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III, both nursing shoulder problems. Head coach Sean McVay didn't mince words about the team's injury woes, noting, "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 trio could indeed be heading for the injured reserve list, further thinning the Rams' roster.
Offensive Struggles
The injury bug has not spared the offensive line, an area that McVay pointed out as particularly troublesome. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," McVay said, highlighting the instability that has plagued the team up front. This instability was glaringly evident in the Rams’ recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in which quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked five times and lost a fumble. Stafford managed to throw for 216 yards, but it wasn't enough to overcome the consistent pressure he faced.
Stafford's performance was hampered not just by the sacks but also by the time he had—or rather, didn’t have—to release the ball. His average time to throw in Week 2 was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league for that week. It's a stark reminder of the challenges posed by an unsettled offensive line, especially given Stafford's history; he missed the latter half of the 2022 season due to a spinal cord contusion and concussion.
Defensive Adjustments Needed
The Rams' struggles are not confined to the offense. On defense, the absence of Aaron Donald, who retired, has left a void in the front seven. In response, the Rams are leaning heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in 2024. The duo's inexperience will be put to the test as the team navigates the rest of the season.
The secondary is also in a precarious state, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick both on injured reserve. This leaves the Rams relying on less experienced players to fill critical roles on defense. Last season, the Rams enjoyed remarkable fortune with injuries, boasting the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury across the league. However, such fortune appears to have reversed this year, casting a shadow over the team's prospects.
Frank Schwab encapsulated the situation aptly: "One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season." Schwab remarked on the dramatic shift from 146.6 adjusted games lost (AGL) in 2022 to just 26.4 last season, underscoring how unpredictable injury dynamics can be. "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 added.
Draft Prospects and Historical Context
Looking to the future, the Rams hold their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft. They also have additional sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. These assets will be crucial as they rebuild and address the gaps exposed by this season's injuries.
Yet, a grim statistic looms over the team: no NFL team starting a year 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl. As they head into Week 3, the pressure is mounting. The Rams must find a way to stabilize their lineup and rediscover the form that saw them minimize injury-related disruptions last season.
The road ahead is challenging, but the Rams have faced adversity before. With strategic adjustments and perhaps a bit of luck, they might still carve out a successful season. What remains certain is that the coming weeks will be critical in defining their 2024 campaign.