Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves facing adversity on multiple fronts. Despite their storied success in recent years, the Rams are off to a worrying 0-2 start. Injuries have already begun to mount, casting a shadow over their early season performance.
Early Season Struggles
The Rams' 0-2 record is emblematic of a team grappling with numerous setbacks. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who has been integral to their offensive firepower, is set to miss an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This is particularly concerning given Kupp's history; he suffered a similar injury in 2022 that necessitated season-ending surgery.
Further adding to the injury woes, guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are currently dealing with shoulder injuries. The trio of Kupp, Jackson, and Johnson are potential candidates for the injured reserve list, a situation head coach Sean McVay admitted to considering carefully. McVay candidly stated, "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."
Offensive Line Woes
Compounding the injuries are issues on the offensive line. Matthew Stafford, the team's veteran quarterback, threw for 216 yards in the recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals but was sacked five times and lost a fumble. Stafford’s average time to throw in Week 2 was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league for that week, pointing to inefficiencies in the offensive line’s protection schemes.
Reflecting on these troubles, McVay commented, "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild." The continuity and stability generally required for effective offensive play are clearly missing, and these disruptions are taking a toll on the Rams' performance.
Defense Under Strain
The defensive side of the ball is not without its own challenges. The retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald has left a significant void in the Rams' front seven. To fill this gap, the team is leaning heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in 2024. While these young players show promise, relying on rookies can be a double-edged sword in the NFL.
The secondary is also dealing with key absences, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick both on injured reserve. Navigating these early-season hurdles will require the Rams to dig deep into their roster and develop depth that can withstand the rigors of an NFL season.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
History is also not on the Rams' side. No NFL team that has begun a season 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl. The Rams are perilously close to entering this territory, underlining the critical nature of their upcoming games. Despite the rough start, the Rams maintain valuable draft assets for the future, holding their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft, in addition to extra sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans.
Injury luck plays a substantial role in the fate of NFL teams, and the Rams have experienced dramatic shifts in this aspect over recent seasons. As pointed out by Frank Schwab, "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." Last season, the Rams enjoyed the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury, which starkly contrasts with their current predicament.
"The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense," Schwab noted, emphasizing how rapidly injury luck can change. The Rams are now confronted with the harsh reality of navigating a season with significant injury challenges.
Conclusion
The start to the 2024 season has been anything but smooth for the Los Angeles Rams. With key players sidelined and pivotal positions in flux, the team must adapt quickly to avoid falling into an insurmountable hole. The resilience and strategic adjustments made by the Rams' coaching staff and players will be critical as they aim to turn the tide in a season already fraught with obstacles.