09/30/26 11:38:00
Printable Page
09/30 17:53 CDT Sean McVay says NFL agrees officials erred on pass interference
that swung Rams' loss to Broncos
Sean McVay says NFL agrees officials erred on pass interference that swung
Rams' loss to Broncos
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Rams coach Sean McVay said the NFL told him officials
erred in calling a late pass-interference penalty that swung Los Angeles' loss
at Denver on Sunday.
Cornerback Josh Wallace was flagged for interfering with Broncos wide receiver
Pat Bryant, negating his interception and extending the drive, allowing Denver
to score a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining to deal the Rams a 30-26 defeat.
Replays showed Bryant had grabbed Wallace, not the other way around.
McVay had requested more information on the sequence from the league, a common
practice from coaches and teams each week to better teach specific techniques
and points of officiating emphasis.
"Like I've told you, the only thing that matters to me is how to educate our
players," McVay said Wednesday. "And it's like I said to you guys afterwards, I
wouldn't change the way that I'm coaching Josh Wallace on how to play the cycle
of that snap. Whether it was or wasn't right, that wasn't the point. The call
was made, and that was what the call was. What I am interested in is if there's
any sort of feedback that says this is in alignment with what would correctly
be officially as a DPI."
The finding did not provide McVay any solace.
"That game's over with," McVay said. "We're a 1-2 football team, and got to be
able to move forward, and that's where we're at."
Wide receiver Davante Adams agreed with his coach, with the 13-year veteran
declining to discuss the merits of the penalty.
"Me talking about it, saying my feelings on it is not going to change it,"
Adams said. "If it would, I'll definitely tell you right now. It's not. My
words are not going to influence anything, so we're just going to leave that
one in the past."
Nacua expected to play, Donald misses practice
Wide receiver Puka Nacua practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, and McVay
believes he is on track to play against the Eagles on Sunday after missing the
past two games because of a hip and groin injury.
Nacua's likely return is all the more important because tight ends Terrance
Ferguson (ankle) and Colby Parkinson (shoulder) each has his availability in
question.
The Rams leaned heavily into three-tight end packages in a win against the
Giants on Sept. 21 and at the start of the game against the Broncos before
Ferguson and Parkinson were hurt, leading to expanded usage of reserve wide
receivers Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and Jordan Whittington.
Nacua has posted at least 1,400 yards receiving in two of his first three NFL
seasons and led the Rams with five receptions for 74 yards in their Week 1 loss
to the 49ers.
"He's a great player, both with the football and also without it," quarterback
Matthew Stafford said. "He brings great play energy to our team. You know he
loves the game of football. His passion rubs off on everybody in the huddle, so
obviously if we get the chance to get him back, we're excited to have him back
in our huddle."
Defensive lineman Aaron Donald did not practice because of a sore back, McVay
said. It is unclear if the ailment could keep him from facing Philadelphia.
___
See AP's full NFL coverage here
|