The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious situation just two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, sitting at 0-2 with a slew of injuries compromising their prospects. Notable wide receiver Cooper Kupp will be sidelined for an extended period due to a left ankle sprain, echoing a similar injury from 2022 that required season-ending surgery. Additionally, guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are dealing with shoulder injuries, and the trio are strong candidates for the injured reserve list.
Offensive Line Struggles
Head coach Sean McVay has been vocal about the challenges the offensive line faces. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," he said. This instability has had direct repercussions for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 216 yards but was sacked five times and lost a fumble in the loss against the Arizona Cardinals. Stafford's average time to throw in Week 2 was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league, pointing to protection issues upfront.
Matthew Stafford's woes aren’t new. He missed the latter half of the 2022 season due to a spinal cord contusion and concussion. Now, his struggles are exacerbated by a weakened offensive line and the absence of Aaron Donald, who retired, leaving a void in the defensive front seven.
Defensive Challenges
The defense is leaning heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, the Rams' first and second-round picks in 2024. The team is also missing corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick, who are both on injured reserve. The disappearance of seasoned players through injuries and retirement has forced the Rams to rely on younger, less experienced talent.
Despite being one of the healthiest teams last season, with the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury, the Rams are now facing the antithesis of that fortune. Frank Schwab notes, "The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense." However, this season is a stark contrast to 2023, and mirrors the injury-laden 2022 season where they finished second in adjusted games lost due to injury.
Injury Reservations
McVay acknowledged the team's predicament: "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 coach’s concern highlights the fragile state of the team’s roster.
Schwab further articulates the randomness of injury trends: "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." As a result, the Rams’ regression this season can be partly attributed to their sudden injury misfortune. "One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season," Schwab adds.
Future Considerations
Looking toward the future, the Rams own their first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft along with additional sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. This cache of draft picks offers some hope for rebuilding and addressing some of the glaring issues presently plaguing the team.
However, the immediate concern remains their current season. With no NFL team ever starting a year 0-3 and going on to win a Super Bowl, the clock is ticking for the Rams to turn things around. They must find a way to stabilize their offensive line, nurse their injured players back to health, and foster the development of their rookies if they hope to salvage the season.
As it stands, the Rams are navigating a treacherous path, fraught with injuries and instability. It remains to be seen if they can overcome these hurdles and make a meaningful impact in the 2024 NFL season. The challenges are undeniable, but so, too, is the potential for a dramatic turnaround.