The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious position just two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, with an 0-2 start and a host of injury concerns threatening to derail their campaign early on.
Early Struggles and Key Injuries
The offense has sputtered out of the gate, a stark contrast to what was expected after last season's relatively healthy run. Historically speaking, the Rams experienced the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense, an incredible stroke of luck considering their brutal 2022, where they finished second in adjusted games lost due to injury. "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," commented NFL analyst Frank Schwab.
However, the tables seem to have turned once again. Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is sidelined with a left ankle sprain, an alarming injury given his history—Kupp required season-ending surgery for a similar issue back in 2022. "One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season," Schwab added, highlighting just how tenuous the health of an NFL team can be.
Adding to the Rams' woes, Kupp isn't the only high-profile player dealing with injuries. Guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are nursing shoulder injuries, and all three could be candidates for injured reserve. "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," head coach Sean McVay acknowledged.
Offensive Line Woes
The offensive line has been another major sore point for the Rams. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," McVay lamented. This instability upfront has had a ripple effect, making quarterback Matthew Stafford vulnerable. In the Week 2 loss against the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford threw for 216 yards but was sacked five times, even losing a crucial fumble. His average time to throw that week was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league, a clear indicator of the line's struggles.
Stafford's health is another looming concern. He missed the latter half of the 2022 season with a spinal cord contusion and a concussion, making his protection this season all the more critical. Without significant improvement in the offensive line, the risk of Stafford facing further injury remains high.
Defensive Challenges
The Rams' defensive struggles are equally worrying. The retirement of stalwart Aaron Donald has left a gaping hole in the defensive front seven. To fill the void, the Rams are leaning on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in 2024. While promising, relying on rookies to shoulder the load of a Super Bowl-caliber defense is far from ideal.
The secondary has also been hit hard by injuries, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick on injured reserve. The cumulative effect of these absences has stretched the Rams' roster thin, raising questions about their depth and resilience.
The Uphill Battle Ahead
The road ahead certainly looks daunting. Historical precedent is not on the Rams' side—a harsh reality noted by football statisticians: no NFL team starting a year 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl. With their current trajectory and mounting injuries, the Rams face the grim possibility of joining this unfortunate tally. The next few games will be critical as they fight to avoid this fate.
Draft Capital and Future Outlook
On a somewhat optimistic note, the Rams hold their own 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 draft capital could be instrumental in rebuilding and addressing some of the depth issues that are plaguing the team this year.
The Rams have been through this cycle before, experiencing the highs of minimal injuries and the lows of a season decimated by them. For McVay and his team, the focus now is on weathering this storm and hoping that a turnaround in health can spark a resurgence on the field. One thing is clear: the Rams' journey through the 2024 NFL season will be anything but straightforward.