| News |
|---|
|
Boston Scott Boston Scott Fresh start in LA
Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 6:29 PM
Scott agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Rams on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Scott spent his first six seasons in Philadelphia, but he will now get a fresh start in Los Angeles. While he was never a major part of the Eagles' offense during his tenure, he saw his role as a third-down back shrink during the 2023 campaign. The 29-year-old will presumably be behind Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum on the Rams' depth chart, and Scott will compete with Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans for the No. 3 role. |
|
Kyren Williams Kyren Williams Could lose some work to Corum
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 2:52 PM
Rams coach Sean McVay said Saturday that third-round pick Blake Corum reminds him a lot of Williams (hand), Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: McVay isn't the first to make that comparison, and while it's arguably a compliment that the Rams sought out a similar player, it also means Williams could cede more work to backups than he did last year. The comparison between the two players is imperfect, with Corum being an inch shorter yet 11 pounds heavier (based on combine measurements) and having enjoyed a far more prolific college career in terms of rushing stats. On the other hand, Williams was much more active as a pass catcher in his college days, and he's since proven to be a quality player at the NFL level, scoring 15 TDs in 12 games last season while averaging a league-high 95.3 rushing yards per game. He thus figures to remain the lead back, though he now has much lower odds to match the massive snap shares he handled last season (90 percent or higher five times, 77 percent or higher nine times). The hand fracture Williams suffered in a playoff loss to Detroit shouldn't impact his preparation for 2024. |
|
Ronnie Rivers Ronnie Rivers Inks contract tender
Mon, Apr 15, 2024, 3:00 PM
Rivers signed his contract tender with the Rams on Monday.
Analysis: Rivers suited up for nine games in 2023 as a backup to Kyren Williams, logging 32 carries for 129 yards and while securing all five of his targets for 22 yards. He and Zach Evans could have a chance to compete for the No. 2 backfield role this offseason, pending Los Angeles' additions in the 2024 NFL Draft and/or free agency. Rivers has looked solid in limited action as a pass catcher, which could open further paths for opportunities on offense if he's able to impress in the coming months. |
|
Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson Returning to Rams
Sun, Mar 31, 2024, 8:36 AM
Johnson agreed to terms with the Rams on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Johnson spent most of last season on Los Angeles' practice squad, but he did get into the team's Week 18 game against San Francisco, catching two of three targets for eight yards and scoring a touchdown. He also has played with Tampa Bay and Houston in his NFL career, and his most prolific season came with the Buccaneers in 2021, when he recorded 36 catches for 360 yards. The news of his re-signing was shared initially by his agency, though terms were not disclosed. |
|
Jimmy Garoppolo Jimmy Garoppolo Finds new home in L.A.
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 4:16 PM
The Rams and Garoppolo (suspension) agreed to a one-year contract Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Garoppolo didn't exactly uphold the three-year contract he signed with the Raiders last March, appearing in just seven games due to injury and an eventual benching for rookie QB Aidan O'Connell after Week 8. Overall, Garoppolo completed 110 of 169 passes (65.1 percent) for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in his stint with the silver and black. The current offseason has included a two-game suspension because of a violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, but Garoppolo figures to serve as Matthew Stafford's backup Week 3 and beyond in the coming campaign once the former completes the ban. |
|
Colby Parkinson Colby Parkinson Moving elsewhere in NFC West
Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 1:26 PM
The Rams and Parkinson agreed to terms of a three-year, $22.5 million contract Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Parkinson thus will get a chance to serve as L.A.'s top tight end in 2024 until Tyler Higbee completes his recovery from ACL and MCL tears that he sustained in the team's wild-card loss to the Rams in January. Considering the damage to Higbee's right knee, that may result in Parkinson handling TE duties for a good portion of the upcoming campaign, assuming the Rams don't make any big splashes at the position this offseason. Parkinson was modestly productive for the Seahawks the last two seasons, combining for a 50-569-4 line on 68 targets in 34 games. |
|
Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee Undergoes surgery
Wed, Feb 28, 2024, 3:41 PM
Rams general manager Les Snead confirmed Wednesday that Higbee (knee) has had surgery to address a torn ACL and MCL, but a timetable for his return is still uncertain, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Higbee suffered ligament damage to his right knee during the Rams' wild-card playoff loss to the Lions on Jan. 14, after taking a low hit on the offense's final drive. The timing of his injury puts his status for Week 1 of the 2024 season in serious doubt, and likewise makes him an unlikely candidate to be cleared for the start of training camp in late July. Behind the 31-year-old veteran on the depth chart are Davis Allen, Hunter Long (knee) and Brycen Hopkins, all of whom now look like candidates to begin the 2024 season in expanded roles, barring other additions to the tight-end room. |
|
Davis Allen Davis Allen May land larger role
Tue, Feb 27, 2024, 10:04 AM
Allen could be the Rams' No. 1 tight end when the season starts while Tyler Higbee recovers from a torn ACL and MCL, CCameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Allen appeared in 15 regular-season games during his rookie season, after he was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 Draft. The Clemson product recorded 10 catches on 11 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown, all coming from Week 12 on, as Allen's role in the offense grew. Higbee does have a chance to be ready by the time the 2024 regular season kicks off, but if his recovery moves slowly, or he suffers any setbacks, Allen may have an opportunity to seize the top tight end role in the Rams offense. |
|
Demarcus Robinson Demarcus Robinson Re-signs with Rams
Fri, Feb 23, 2024, 4:50 PM
Robinson is re-signing with the Rams on a one-year, $5 million contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Robinson spent much of 2023 buried on the Rams' depth chart but then replaced Tutu Atwell as the No. 3 receiver down the stretch and put together an impressive streak of production. Robinson scored a TD in four straight games in December and had five consecutive outings with at least 44 yards and 12 PPR points. It was his seventh straight season with more than 200 receiving yards but less than 500, with the veteran recording career highs for yards per catch (14.3) and yards per target (9.5). Robinson will turn 30 in September and might still face competition for the No. 3 WR job behind Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. |
|
Ronnie Rivers Ronnie Rivers Receives contract tender
Fri, Feb 23, 2024, 2:18 PM
The Rams have extended a contract tender to Rivers, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: By offering Rivers, an exclusive rights free agent, a contract tender, he can't negotiate with other teams this offseason. The stage is thus set for the 25-year-old to return the the Rams' backfield in 2024. Rivers carried 32 times for 129 yards and caught all five of his targets for 22 yards in nine games this past season while working behind Kyren Williams. Looking ahead, the 5-foot-9, 195-pounder should continue to maintain a rotational role in Los Angeles' RB corps, which will also include 2023 sixth-rounder Zach Evans, among others. |
|
Stetson Bennett Stetson Bennett Future in L.A. looking uncertain
Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 11:49 AM
Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that he's uncertain whether Bennett (illness) will remain with the Rams in 2024, saying it's "a conversation for another time," Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick, spent his entire rookie campaign on the reserve/NFI list due to an undisclosed non-football illness. His absence was felt during the portions of the season in which Matthew Stafford missed time, as the Rams struggled to find answers while cycling through an unimpressive carousel of backup options. McVay said he thinks Bennett is "doing better," but that he "wouldn't be in a position to answer that accurately right now." |
|
Kyren Williams Kyren Williams Undergoes procedure on hand
Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 11:34 AM
Head coach Sean McVay said that Williams underwent a successful procedure Tuesday to repair a broken bone in his hand, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Williams, who suffered the injury in this past Sunday's 24-23 wild-card round loss to the Lions, will have plenty of time to recover before the Rams take the field again in OTAs this coming spring. Heading into the start of the 2023 season, Williams was expected to work behind Cam Akers in the team's backfield. However, by Week 2, Williams moved into a starting role that resulted in the 2022 fifth-round pick logging 228 carries for 1,144 yard and 12 touchdowns to go along with 32 catches (on 48 targets) for 206 yards and three more scores in 12 regular-season games. Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Williams projects to remain the Rams' lead back, though Los Angeles could look to add more viable competition through the draft and/or free agency. Beyond Williams, 2023 sixth-round pick Zach Evans is the only Rams running back currently under contract for the upcoming season, as Ronnie Rivers and Royce Freeman are slated for exclusive-rights free agency and unrestricted free agency, respectively. |
|
Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee Recovering from torn ACL and MCL
Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 11:23 AM
Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Higbee will require surgery to address a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: McVay mentioned that Higbee could be a candidate to start on the PUP list this summer, as the Rams haven't settled on a firm timeline for when the tight end might be ready to resume on-field work. Given the mid-January timing and severity of Higbee's injury, he could have difficultly gaining clearance for the start of training camp in late July, if not the start of the 2024 regular season entirely. Normally, recovery from a torn ACL entails a 6-to-9-month recovery timeline, but Higbee faces the additional hurdle of rehabbing from a MCL tear. Davis Allen, a 2023 fifth-round pick, could be in position to see additional offseason opportunities as long as Higbee remains absent while recovering from surgery. |
|
Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee Torn ACL confirmed
Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 8:34 AM
Higbee was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee following an MRI on Monday, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Higbee suffered the devastating knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Rams' 24-23 wild-card playoff loss to the Lions on Sunday, when he was on the receiving end of a low hit from Detroit safety Kerby Joseph. The 31-year-old tight end -- who finished the regular season with 47 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns on 70 targets over 15 games -- will now embark on an arduous rehab process that could extend into the start of the 2024 campaign. At the very least, Higbee won't be ready to participate in OTAs in the spring and could be hard pressed to get cleared for the start of training camp in late July, given the 6-to-9-month recovery timeline typically associated with ACL surgeries. |
|
Austin Trammell Austin Trammell Serves as primary return man
Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 2:42 PM
Trammell caught four passes for 29 yards, returned six kicks for 101 yards and 25 punts for 183 yards during the 2023 regular season. He also fumbled three times.
Analysis: The return numbers for the third year wideout and special teams contributor were meager compared to his contemporaries in the league (for reference, Keisean Nixon led the NFL with 782 kick return yards), and three fumbles also stands out as a worrisome stat. The Rams' special teams unit as a whole struggled mightily in 2023 between kicking woes and a lack of production in the return game, and while Trammell is an exclusive rights free agent, the Rams may not be keen on extending him a contract and could let him walk in free agency. |
|
Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson Earns just two touches in 2023
Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 2:42 PM
Johnson caught two passes for eight yards and a touchdown during the 2023 regular season.
Analysis: There was little opportunity for the fourth year wideout to produce, as the receiving corps as a whole for the Rams stayed relatively healthy apart from Cooper Kupp missing four games at the start of the year. Johnson was only activated from the practice squad once all season, earning his third touchdown in four seasons in the NFL with both the Rams and 49ers resting starters for the playoffs. Johnson is a restricted free agent in 2024, but with how little he was utilized by the Rams, he likely will have to find an opportunity elsewhere next season. |
|
Brycen Hopkins Brycen Hopkins Regresses in final year of contract
Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 8:37 PM
Hopkins finished the 2023 regular season with five receptions for 78 yards.
Analysis: The majority of Hopkins' limited production came when thrust into a more prominent role in Week 18 with Tyler Higbee sitting out with a shoulder injury. Hopkins secured two catches for 47 yards in the contest, but spent the majority of the year taking just a handful of snaps per game on offense, including zero in the Rams' playoff loss to the Lions. Hopkins is an unrestricted free agent in 2024, and while Higbee is feared to have suffered a torn ACL in the aforementioned playoff game, rookie Davis Allen and Hunter Long (knee) both remain under contract for next season, and Allen in particular flashed plenty of promise in Higbee and Long's absences. Even if Higbee isn't ready for the start of the 2024 campaign if the rehab from his injury goes slowly, it is likely questionable if the Rams will bring back Hopkins as the fourth tight end on the roster given his light production in 2023. |
|
Zach Evans Zach Evans Ineffective in limited action
Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 8:22 PM
Evans finished the 2023 regular season with nine rush attempts for 19 yards.
Analysis: Despite the abundance of running backs that went through the Rams' roster over the course of the season -- Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman, Darrell Henderson, Myles Gaskin, and Evans all ended up with playing time in 2023 for the Rams -- Evans managed to hold his roster spot despite performing inadequately when called upon. Coach Sean McVay clearly sees potential in the rookie by keeping him on the active roster despite his lackluster performance, but with Williams returning as a three-down workhorse and Rivers likely to return despite being an exclusive rights free agent, Evans will be the third option at running back next season if the Rams don't make any additions to the roster, and the fourth if they bring back Freeman for a second campaign. |
|
Royce Freeman Royce Freeman Logs most rush attempts since 2019
Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 8:03 PM
Freeman finished the 2023 regular season with 77 rushes for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and added one catch for 13 yards.
Analysis: Signed a day after Sony Michel retired, Freeman spent much of the year relegated as the second or third option in the backfield behind Kyren Williams, Ronnie Rivers and Darrell Henderson. When Freeman did take the field as a co-starter alongside Henderson when Williams and Rivers went down with injury in Weeks 7 through 11, the veteran back made the most of his opportunity, posting a 50-215-1 line in the four-game stretch. The Rams have Williams and rookie Zach Evans on the roster for 2024 and will likely bring Rivers, an exclusive rights free agent, back as well. Whether Freeman will return for a second season with the Rams likely hinges on how much the team trusts the aforementioned trio to stay healthy for a full season. |
|
Carson Wentz Carson Wentz Future uncertain after lone start
Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 7:41 PM
Wentz finished the 2023 regular season completing 17 of 24 pass attempts for 163 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and added 17 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Analysis: After Matthew Stafford went down with a thumb injury and missed part of Week 8 and all of Week 9, Brett Rypien came in and performed poorly (18-for-38 for 172 yards and an interception), prompting the Rams to take a chance on Wentz. For his part, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 Draft proved up to the task against the 49ers in Week 18, taking the reigns and helping Puka Nacua set the all-time rookie reception and receiving yard marks while turning in nearly as many rushing attempts in one game as he had in eight games with the Commanders in 2022. Wentz still wants to be a starting quarterback heading into his age-31 campaign, and the unrestricted free agent might get one more chance to prove he can helm an offense with the cavalcade of ineffective and injured quarterbacks that littered the NFL landscape in 2023. If that doesn't work out, a return to the Rams to be a quality backup behind Stafford seems like a distinct possibility. |
Connect With Us:
