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Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee Beginning camp on PUP list
Tue, Jul 23, 2024, 3:07 PM
Coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Higbee (knee) will start training camp on the active/PUP list, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Higbee's placement on the PUP list figures to be made official without much delay. The veteran tight end remains without a timetable to return as he works his way back from a torn ACL and MCL suffered back in January. Higbee can come off the active/PUP list at any time through camp and the preseason, but if he ends up on the reserve/PUP list while final roster cuts are made, he'll be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. |
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Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford At camp after contract adjustment
Tue, Jul 23, 2024, 2:48 PM
Coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that Stafford is present at training camp and that the Rams have agreed to adjust his contract, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Stafford has two years remaining on his contract with Los Angeles and has expressed a desire for more guaranteed money. Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports that an adjustment to Stafford's deal is more likely than an extension, but whatever the case, both sides are now on the same page as the veteran quarterback enters his age-36 season. McVay confirmed that Stafford will be ready to practice Wednesday, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. |
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Zach Evans Zach Evans On roster bubble
Tue, Jul 9, 2024, 3:44 PM
Evans faces a difficult path to earning a spot on the final roster and is a candidate to be cut before the start of the 2024 regular season, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Evans, a 2023 sixth-round pick, only logged nine rush attempts for 19 yards across 10 regular-season appearances as a rookie, despite the Rams suffering a number of injuries to their backfield. A healthy Kyren Williams remains entrenched atop the depth chart and projects for a workhorse role, while rookie third-rounder Blake Corum projects as his top backup. Boston Scott and Ronnie Rivers are relatively established as capable depth options, so unless he can truly impress in training camp, Evans may find himself the odd man out. |
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Puka Nacua Puka Nacua Aims to make Year 2 leap
Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 4:39 PM
Rams wide receiver coach Eric Yarber said Nacua's "body is totally different" due to his training regiment this offseason, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Nacua is coming off a stellar rookie campaign in which he racked up a 105-1,486-6 receiving line while suiting up for all 17 regular-season games, and he's putting in the offseason work to improve rather than resting on his laurels. Yarber said "[Nucua has] lost so much body fat and gained so much lean muscle, which enabled him to move more efficiently now," and that "he has better body control" entering Year 2. Nucua has reportedly dropped about 10 pounds over the offseason and shadowed Cooper Kupp, his positional mate and former Offensive Player of the Year, both in terms of training regimen and diet. Kupp was plagued by injuries even while on the field last season and should stands to demand a larger offensive share during the 2024 campaign, but Nucua looks to have already emerged as the new No. 1 wide receiver for Los Angeles. Coach Sean McVay's offense could be efficient enough for both wideouts to improve upon their production. |
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Tyler Higbee Tyler Higbee Timetable for return TBD
Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 2:18 PM
Higbee, who is bouncing back from a torn ACL and MCL, remains without a timetable for a return to action, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Higbee hurt his knee during the Rams' wild-card loss to the Lions on Jan. 14, and given the timing and nature of the injury, it seems likely that the tight end will start training camp on the PUP list. Beyond that, added context regarding Higbee's chances of suiting up early on this season should arrive once he approaches a return to the practice field, but if he's unavailable come Week 1, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen and Hunter Long would be in line to handle Los Angeles' TE duties out of the gate in 2024. |
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Blake Corum Blake Corum Already making good impression
Fri, Jun 14, 2024, 11:29 AM
Coach Sean McVay said Thursday in an OTAs recap video that Corum "has really stood out" early this offseason, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Corum, a rookie third-round pick, had a chance to handle extra reps during OTAs while starter Kyren Williams dealt with a foot injury, though Los Angeles' backfield was fully healthy for June minicamp. McVay praised Corum's "mental toughness" and "the way that he handles himself," and said that the rookie will "definitely" have an opportunity to contribute as a pass catcher. Williams still appears entrenched as the clear top option in the Rams' backfield, but if Corum can keep his momentum up throughout training camp, he could have an opportunity to push for a notable role early in his career. |
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Kyren Williams Kyren Williams Gets back on practice field
Thu, Jun 6, 2024, 4:44 PM
Williams (foot) is participating in on-field workouts Thursday.
Analysis: Williams missed most of OTAs due to a foot injury, but he's returned to the field for the final day of voluntary activities and appears to be handling on-field drills without limitations. Coach Sean McVay continuously downplayed the severity of Williams' injury, and it looks like the starting running back will indeed be ready to go for the start of mandatory minicamp June 10. The Rams could still opt to cap Williams' workload at practice if there are any concerns about his recovery, but it looks like he could be in position to handle the majority of first-team reps during minicamp, with rookie third-round pick Blake Corum, Boston Scott, Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans working behind him. |
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Cooper Kupp Cooper Kupp Back at full strength
Thu, Jun 6, 2024, 11:02 AM
Coach Sean McVay suggested Tuesday that Kupp was never truly healthy last season but is now back at full strength, Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire reports.
Analysis: McVay compared Kupp's 2023 to QB Matthew Stafford's 2022, with the implication being that both players not only missed games but also played through injuries when they were active. Kupp has told reporters he's 100 percent healthy for the offseason program, unlike in recent years at the same juncture. Last year, he was coming back from season-ending ankle surgery in 2022 and then ended up suffering a summer hamstring injury that cost him the first four games of 2023. Kupp didn't lose any games to injuries thereafter, but he did make an early exit from the team's Week 11 contest and ultimately averaged his least receiving yards per game (61.4) since his rookie year. While a rebound could be coming, Kupp is on the cusp of his 31st birthday and now has to share an offense with 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua. It's thus unclear if Kupp will regain his peak form and target volume, though just one of those two things happening would probably be enough to make him a good fantasy pick. |
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Matthew Stafford Matthew Stafford Seeking contract update
Wed, Jun 5, 2024, 9:23 AM
Stafford wants more guaranteed money added to his contract, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: The 36-year-old has three years remaining on his contract but no guarantees beyond 2024. He's been present at voluntary OTAs throughout the offseason, leading a Rams offense that will return all but one starter (center Coleman Shelton) from last year. Guard Jonah Jackson and TE Colby Parkinson were the big offseason additions, with the former allowing Steve Avila to slide over to center and the latter likely replacing Tyler Higbee (torn ACL) as a starter early in the season. Stafford apparently intends to play at least a few more years and will have WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp as his primary targets for the foreseeable future. |
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Kyren Williams Kyren Williams Making progress with foot
Wed, May 29, 2024, 9:08 AM
Williams (foot) went through an up-tempo workout Tuesday with athletic trainers, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: While he won't practice at OTAs or minicamp, Williams is at least able to get out on the field and move around with the Rams' training staff. The activity would seem to support head coach Sean McVay's recent comments downplaying the severity of Williams' foot injury, though it's worth noting that the running back suffered a broken foot early in the 2022 offseason, shortly after the Rams took him in the fifth round of the draft. McVay said Williams will miss offseason practices before returning for training camp, at which point the third-year pro will take his spot atop the depth chart. His absences from practice this spring could open up first-team reps for third-round pick Blake Corum, offseason pickup Boston Scott and even Ronnie Rivers or Zach Evans. |
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Hunter Long Hunter Long Participating in OTAs
Thu, May 23, 2024, 7:18 PM
Long (knee) has been an active participant at the Rams' OTA sessions, Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire reports.
Analysis: Long finished the 2023 campaign on injured reserve following MCL surgery, but he now looks to be fully healthy heading into the 2024. The tight end appeared in four games last season, failing to garner a target while playing 54 offensive snaps and he projects to be a depth option behind Tyler Higbee (knee), Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen this year. |
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Stetson Bennett Stetson Bennett Back with team
Wed, May 22, 2024, 11:16 AM
Bennett (illness) has been participating in the Rams' OTAs this spring, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Bennett, whom the Rams selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, spent his entire rookie season on the reserve/non-football illness list for an undisclosed reason. Now that he's back on the field, Bennett is slated to see practice reps this spring behind starter Matthew Stafford and No. 2 quaterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is in line to miss the first two games of the regular season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy. Along with Garoppolo and Bennett, the Rams have Dresser Winn on the offseason roster as backup options behind Stafford. |
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Kyren Williams Kyren Williams Foot injury downplayed
Tue, May 21, 2024, 4:56 PM
Williams, who is dealing with a foot injury that he sustained while training this spring, per Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register, won't take part in the Rams' offseason program, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: That said, Barshop adds that coach Sean McVay has downplayed Williams' foot issue, noting that it's "nothing to worry about. He'll be ready to go for training camp." As the coming season approaches, the 2022 fifth-rounder remains atop the Rams' RB depth chart, with rookie third-rounder Blake Corum, Boston Scott, Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans providing the team with backfield depth. Of the aforementioned backups, Corum could be the most notable threat to the 2024 workload of the 5-foot-9, 194-pound Williams. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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