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Based on Sean McVay’s approach to the preseason since taking over as head coach, we already knew the Rams weren’t going to play any of their starters in these three exhibition games. McVay doesn’t want to risk injury, especially to his top players.
What we didn’t know is just how many backups wouldn’t play, either.
McVay told reporters on Thursday that about 35 players won’t suit up against the Chargers on Saturday night. So that list would include all 22 starters, plus about another dozen backups or rotational players. With a 90-man roster, that leaves 55 other players, which is more than the Rams even have on a regular-season game day.
“I think that’s always an important part of what you want to do with the roster building,” McVay said of protecting the team’s depth. “We’ll get a chance to see a lot of our depth guys, because there’s going to be probably about 35 players that are not playing in this game for us. It’ll be fun, I think the goal is always to try to stay healthy. I think that has been something that we’ve done a really good job of that’s a credit to our players, Reggie Scott and his group – relative to the things that you can control. There are certain injuries that no matter what the circumstances are, unfortunately they would occur. But I think that’ll be something that I’ll be better equipped to answer after the next couple of weeks.”
One of the backups who won’t play is John Wolford, who McVay feels “got a lot of good experience last week” – not to mention, he just underwent an appendectomy, too. It’ll be worth watching the offensive line to see the rotation there, as well as in the secondary with so much depth at safety.
The wide receiver room will also feature two rookies on the field Saturday, with Tutu Atwell and Ben Skowronek looking to prove themselves. Atwell got a late start in camp, so he’s someone a lot of fans will be excited to see.
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