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09/28 18:59 CDT Injuries are piling up for the slow-starting Rams, but Puka
Nacua could return this week
Injuries are piling up for the slow-starting Rams, but Puka Nacua could return
this week
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- The Rams' list of injuries grew in their 30-26 loss to the
Broncos on Sunday night, with cornerback Jaylen Watson and tight end Terrance
Ferguson likely to be sidelined this weekend against the Eagles.
Watson dislocated his shoulder, but coach Sean McVay does not expect him to go
on injured reserve. Ferguson sprained the medial ligament in his ankle, while
tight end Colby Parkinson's status is uncertain after spraining the AC joint in
his shoulder.
Those injuries all contributed to a blown 16-point lead at Denver as Los
Angeles dropped to 1-2. Not having Watson deprived the defense of its most
physical cover cornerback, while the absence of two tight ends further limited
the offense, which was already without top wide receiver Puka Nacua for the
second straight week.
McVay expressed optimism Nacua could return this week after missing two games
because of a hip and groin injury.
"It sounds like he had a good workout before the game," McVay said.
The absence of Nacua as both a receiver and run blocker was felt in the red
zone, where the offense scored one touchdown in four opportunities. Not having
him made the Rams more reliant on their three-tight end packages coming into
the game, and the injuries to Ferguson and Parkinson mandated further
adjustments.
The loss of Watson, who signed a three-year contract worth up to $51 million in
March, tested the Rams' depth in the secondary. Josh Wallace was called for a
controversial pass-interference penalty that negated his interception and
extended the Broncos' game-winning drive.
"There was a lot of opportunities that we had to be able to close the door on
that game," McVay said Monday. "And I was proud of the way that our group
competed, the way that we kept responding. There were certainly some things
that we can learn from."
What's working The connection between quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams flourished for the second straight game without Nacua. Adams caught seven passes for 137 yards despite being covered by arguably the NFL's cornerback in Patrick Surtain II. Tight end Tyler Higbee and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield also stepped up to help offset Nacua's absence.
What needs help Despite an effective performance from running back Kyren Williams, Stafford threw the ball 55 times. McVay went away from the run in the first half, and it led to drives stalling out when the Rams could have taken a commanding lead. In the second half, that lack of balance started with a three-and-out on Los Angeles' opening possession and put Denver in position to start regaining momentum.
Stock up Williams showed his well-rounded game by rushing for 88 yards on 15 carries and catching six passes for 70 yards, in addition to his contributions in pass protection. It was his second straight game averaging better than 5 yards per carry, showing Williams is still the lead back ahead of Blake Corum.
Stock down After the Rams spent the offseason trying to address the special teams breakdowns that cost them the top seed in the NFC and a trip to the Super Bowl, some alarming issues popped up. A 28-yard punt return kick-started Denver's first touchdown drive. Then, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was called for unsportsmanlike conduct to negate a punt that would have backed the Broncos up. Denver gained 39 yards of field position on the rekick.
Key injuries McVay did not provide an updated timeline on star defensive end Myles Garrett's return from knee surgery. Garrett is not eligible to be activated from injured reserve until at least Week 6 against the Cardinals.
Key number 20,279 --- Stafford's yardage total in six seasons with the Rams, which makes him the first quarterback in league history to throw for 20,000 yards with two teams. He had 45,109 yards in 12 seasons with the Lions.
Up next The Rams visit the Eagles on Sunday. They blew a 19-point lead at Philadelphia last season, losing 33-26 in a game marred by several gaffes in the kicking game. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
What's working The connection between quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams flourished for the second straight game without Nacua. Adams caught seven passes for 137 yards despite being covered by arguably the NFL's cornerback in Patrick Surtain II. Tight end Tyler Higbee and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield also stepped up to help offset Nacua's absence.
What needs help Despite an effective performance from running back Kyren Williams, Stafford threw the ball 55 times. McVay went away from the run in the first half, and it led to drives stalling out when the Rams could have taken a commanding lead. In the second half, that lack of balance started with a three-and-out on Los Angeles' opening possession and put Denver in position to start regaining momentum.
Stock up Williams showed his well-rounded game by rushing for 88 yards on 15 carries and catching six passes for 70 yards, in addition to his contributions in pass protection. It was his second straight game averaging better than 5 yards per carry, showing Williams is still the lead back ahead of Blake Corum.
Stock down After the Rams spent the offseason trying to address the special teams breakdowns that cost them the top seed in the NFC and a trip to the Super Bowl, some alarming issues popped up. A 28-yard punt return kick-started Denver's first touchdown drive. Then, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was called for unsportsmanlike conduct to negate a punt that would have backed the Broncos up. Denver gained 39 yards of field position on the rekick.
Key injuries McVay did not provide an updated timeline on star defensive end Myles Garrett's return from knee surgery. Garrett is not eligible to be activated from injured reserve until at least Week 6 against the Cardinals.
Key number 20,279 --- Stafford's yardage total in six seasons with the Rams, which makes him the first quarterback in league history to throw for 20,000 yards with two teams. He had 45,109 yards in 12 seasons with the Lions.
Up next The Rams visit the Eagles on Sunday. They blew a 19-point lead at Philadelphia last season, losing 33-26 in a game marred by several gaffes in the kicking game. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
