The Los Angeles Rams' 2024 NFL season has gotten off to a rocky start, sitting at 0-2 after two weeks of play. The struggles on both sides of the ball have been compounded by significant injuries to key players, casting a shadow over the team's prospects moving forward.
Injuries Piling Up
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is slated to miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This injury is eerily reminiscent of the similar ankle ailment he suffered in 2022, which ultimately required season-ending surgery. Head coach Sean McVay faces the challenge of navigating the season without his top receiver, which could have profound implications for the team's offensive capabilities.
Adding to the woes, guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are dealing with shoulder injuries. The trio of Kupp, Jackson, and Johnson are candidates for the injured reserve list. McVay expressed his concerns, stating, "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."
Offensive Line Troubles
The Rams' offensive line issues have been a significant point of contention. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," McVay remarked. The instability on the line was glaring in their recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 216 yards but was sacked five times, losing a fumble in the process. His average time to release the ball was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the NFL for Week 2, highlighting the struggles of the offensive line to keep him protected.
After missing the latter half of the 2022 season with a spinal cord contusion and concussion, Stafford's health and performance are under intense scrutiny. His ability to stay upright and effective will be crucial as the Rams attempt to turn their season around.
Defense Feeling the Loss of Key Players
On the defensive side, the Rams are reeling from the retirement of Aaron Donald, a move that has significantly impacted their front seven. To fill the void, the team is relying heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, who were the Rams' first and second-round picks in 2024.
The secondary also faces challenges, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick placed on injured reserve. This has forced the defense to lean on less experienced players, potentially exposing vulnerabilities against seasoned NFL offenses.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The Rams' injury situation presents a stark contrast to their good fortune last season when they had the fewest adjusted games lost (AGL) due to injury. "The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense," sports analyst Frank Schwab noted. The dramatic turnaround from 2022, a year in which the Rams finished second in AGL, underscores the unpredictable nature of injury luck in the NFL. "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 explained.
Given the current landscape, concerns about Rams regression are valid, especially considering that no NFL team has ever started a season 0-3 and gone on to win the Super Bowl. With their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft, plus additional sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans, the Rams might already be looking toward rebuilding efforts in next year's draft.
However, the current focus must remain on salvaging the present season. With key players injured and questions surrounding both the offensive and defensive units, the path ahead is fraught with challenges. The Rams will need to dig deep into their roster depth and hope for a reversal of their injury fortunes if they are to navigate their way to success in 2024.