The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious position just two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, holding an 0-2 record after a stinging loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The struggles are compounded by a rash of injuries that threaten to derail the season before it truly begins.
Key Injuries Plague the Team
One of the most significant blows comes from the wide receiver corps, with Cooper Kupp set to miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This isn't Kupp's first encounter with ankle issues; he suffered a similar injury in 2022 that required season-ending surgery. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the Rams' offense, as he has been a pivotal player in their aerial attack.
The injury woes don’t stop with Kupp. Guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are both nursing shoulder injuries, adding to the team's growing list of sidelined starters. Head coach Sean McVay has hinted at the possibility of placing this trio on injured reserve, a move that would severely limit their ability to return to action quickly. "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," McVay admitted.
Offensive Line Troubles
Beyond the specific injuries, McVay underscored broader issues with the offensive line: "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild." The instability up front has had immediate ramifications for quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 216 yards against the Cardinals but turned the ball over after being sacked five times. Stafford's struggles are exacerbated by a lengthy average time to throw—3.25 seconds in Week 2, the fifth-longest in the league. This extended time in the pocket has exposed him to more hits and increased the risk of turnovers.
Stafford himself is no stranger to injury, having missed the latter half of the 2022 season due to a spinal cord contusion and concussion. The Rams cannot afford another sidelining of their signal-caller if they hope to turn their season around.
Defensive Setbacks
On the defensive side, the Rams are coping with the recent retirement of Aaron Donald, which significantly impacts their front seven. In his place, the Rams are relying heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in 2024. While these newcomers show promise, expecting them to fill the shoes of a future Hall of Famer adds immense pressure.
The secondary is also depleted, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick on injured reserve. The absence of these key defenders leaves the Rams vulnerable in the passing game, a troubling sign for a team already struggling to find its footing.
Contrasting Fortunes and Future Prospects
The Rams' current injury crisis stands in stark contrast to last season's relatively healthy roster. "The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense," noted NFL analyst Frank Schwab. This was a remarkable turnaround from 2022 when the Rams were heavily afflicted by injuries, finishing 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," Schwab added. Unfortunately, lightning has not struck twice, and the Rams are now grappling with the cruel variance of injury luck once more.
Complicating matters is the historical precedent: no NFL team starting a season 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl. As the Rams prepare for their third game, this daunting statistic looms large.
Looking forward, 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. These assets could prove valuable for rebuilding and addressing the evident gaps exacerbated by this season’s injuries.
As they navigate these significant challenges, the Rams will need a blend of strategic adjustments and a bit of luck to change their current trajectory. The roster is undoubtedly talented, but the physical demands of the NFL season have already taken a toll. Whether they can rise above these early setbacks will define their 2024 campaign.