Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious position. With an 0-2 start, the team faces mounting adversity that threatens to derail their campaign early. The team’s struggles are compounded by the loss of key players to injuries, including star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who will miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This injury is particularly concerning, given Kupp's history; he suffered a similar ankle injury in 2022 that ultimately required season-ending surgery.
Injury Woes and Offensive Struggles
In addition to Kupp, guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are nursing shoulder injuries. All three, Kupp, Jackson, and Johnson, are candidates for the injured reserve list, reflecting the significant toll injuries have taken on the team's roster. Rams head coach Sean McVay acknowledged the challenges his team faces, especially concerning the offensive line, stating, "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild."
These injuries have coincided with issues in offensive performance. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 216 yards during the Rams' recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals, a game in which he was sacked five times and lost a fumble. Compounding these issues, Stafford's average time to throw was 3.25 seconds in Week 2, the fifth-longest in the league for that week. This statistic points to a struggling offensive line failing to protect their quarterback adequately.
Defensive Challenges
The Rams' defensive front has also been impacted by the retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, which has left a significant void. The team now relies heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, who were first and second-round picks in the 2024 draft, to step up in Donald's absence. The secondary is also depleted, with cornerbacks Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick placed on injured reserve.
Historical Injury Context
This year's injury troubles stand in stark contrast to the Rams' fate last season when they experienced the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury in the league. McVay reflects on the irony of the situation, "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." Sports analyst Frank Schwab further commented, "The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense."
Just two years ago, the Rams dealt with numerous injuries and finished second in adjusted games lost due to injury. Schwab noted the dramatic shift, "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 also highlighted the impact of this variable factor on team performance, "One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season."
Future Considerations
Currently holding 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 have some flexibility looking forward. However, the specter of starting the season 0-3 looms large, especially since no NFL team beginning the year with such a record has ever won a Super Bowl.
The road ahead for the Rams is fraught with challenges. The combination of ailing offensive and defensive units, the loss of key players to injury, and the absence of veteran presence like Aaron Donald intensify the pressure on McVay’s squad. As the Rams prepare to tackle the rest of the season, the resilience and adaptability of this team will be put to the ultimate test.