The Rams will have "a couple of scrimmages" at brand-new SoFi Stadium to get familiar with the building for the regular season, coach Sean McVay says.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) August 2, 2020
The Rams may not be able to play any preseason games at SoFi Stadium, but they will find a way to take the field in Inglewood before the regular season begins. Sean McVay said on a conference call Sunday that the Rams plan to scrimmage a couple times at SoFi Stadium during training camp.
The Rams were supposed to play three preseason games at SoFi Stadium this summer: two as the home team and one as the visitor against the Chargers. Those games have been canceled, and the Rams also won’t be able to hold joint practices against other teams, either.
So these scrimmages at SoFi Stadium will simply be Rams players lining up against each other like college teams do each year before the real games begin. It’ll give guys the chance to compete in a game-like setting, though it’ll still be controlled to reduce the risk of injury, too.
Also @RamsNFL HC McVay said to help evaluate, they may have some full speed, full tackling scrimmages but also be "mindful" of those players who will be starters or key rotational players. In other words, it could resemble collegiate spring practices. My words, not his.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) August 2, 2020
As for when the Rams will begin practicing, McVay said their first “true practice” will be on Aug. 17, which is about two weeks from now.
Aug. 17 will be the Rams' "first true practice where guys are going against one another," coach Sean McVay says. They will ramp up the players slowly and deliberately.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) August 2, 2020
All Rams players have reported to the team’s facilities for COVID-19 testing and those who had three negative tests were able to get their equipment and get situated in the building.
There will understandably be a ramp-up period with walk-throughs and classroom work before practices begin because players haven’t had minicamp or OTAs to work through this year.
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