Rams Face Tough Start with Key Injuries and Offensive Struggles
The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a challenging position just two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, sitting at an unenviable 0-2 record. The early season woes encompass both key injuries and significant struggles on the field, particularly noted by head coach Sean McVay and evident in their performances thus far.
One of the team's major setbacks is the loss of star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who is expected to miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This isn't Kupp's first encounter with ankle issues, as he suffered a similar injury in 2022 that led to season-ending surgery. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the Rams’ offense, and McVay has revealed that Kupp, along with guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III, are candidates for the injured reserve list. Jackson and Johnson are both dealing with shoulder injuries, further complicating the team's injury-plagued start.
The team’s offensive line has also been under intense scrutiny. McVay highlighted, "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild." The instability upfront was glaring in their recent loss against the Arizona Cardinals, where Matthew Stafford was sacked five times and subsequently lost a fumble. Despite throwing for 216 yards, Stafford’s struggles were apparent, exacerbated by an average time to throw of 3.25 seconds – the fifth-longest in the league for Week 2.
Stafford himself is no stranger to adversity, having missed the latter half of the 2022 season with a spinal cord contusion and concussion. The Rams’ offensive woes come at a particularly bad time, as their defense is also navigating a significant transition period following the retirement of star defensive lineman Aaron Donald, which has left a noticeable void in their defensive front seven.
The defense now heavily relies on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in the 2024 draft. The youth and inexperience could be seen as both a promise for the future and a present liability as they gain footing in the highly competitive NFL landscape. In addition, cornerbacks Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick are on injured reserve, adding to the defensive concerns.
The Rams' injury issues stand in stark contrast to the previous season, where they had the fewest adjusted games lost (AGL) due to injury across the league. Frank Schwab aptly noted, "The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense." This season paints a different picture, reminiscent of their tumultuous 2022, where they finished second in adjusted games lost due to injury. Schwab also pointed out the dramatic change, “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.”
With an already grim start, the Rams are aware of the historical context — no NFL team that begins a season 0-3 has ever clinched a Super Bowl. The pressure is undoubtedly mounting as the team strives to avoid making unenviable history. McVay conceded the harsh reality, noting that the team is quickly running out of injured reserve spots just a few weeks into the season: "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."
Looking towards the future, the Rams hold their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks in the 2025 draft, along with additional sixth-round picks acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. This array of draft capital offers some hope for rebuilding and improving the roster, but it provides little immediate solace as the team grapples with its current predicament.
Injuries, disappointing results, and a challenging schedule ahead have put the Rams in a precarious spot early in the season. The team’s resilience will be tested as they attempt to navigate through these adversities. Their ability to rally and find momentum amidst these challenges will determine whether the Rams can salvage their season and reverse their current trajectory.