There was good and bad news for the Los Angeles Rams on the Friday leading up to their bout with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The sports world turned their heads when the Rams emerged as the team to sign Odell Beckham Jr. following his release from the Cleveland Browns.
It was all smiles for fans in Los Angeles, who were excited to see what a receiving corps of Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, and Beckham could achieve. Sadly, on the same day Beckham arrived in L.A., Woods sustained a season-ending knee injury during practice.
After speaking to the media, Woods found out that he tore his ACL, which will force him to miss the rest of the season. On the Saturday before the team’s upcoming matchup, Sean McVay shared his thoughts on Woods getting injured.
“You’re sick for Robert. Like we kind of mentioned yesterday, he’s epitomized everything that’s been right about this place. Such a great competitor. Such a tough player. Great person. It’s so unfortunate. What a perspective this game gives you,” McVay said. “He’s just running up something on air, puts his foot in the ground weird, and he kind of came back and said he felt okay. Then we ended up getting a scan and unfortunately it revealed the result that we all know, but he’ll attack his rehab the right way. Love Robert Woods. Guys will be asked to step up in his absence. You don’t ever replace a player like him, but it’ll certainly require a lot of guys to play better and really carry the torch because of everything that you miss without him.”
Woods has been a crucial member of the Rams since joining the organization in 2017. While he’s a reliable wideout, he’s also arguably the best run-blocking wide receiver in the NFL, making him a tough player to replace.
McVay understands that it’s going to be a process to discover how Los Angeles can fill the void left behind by Woods.
“Working through that right now, honestly. It’s a lot to process. Number one, you feel for Robert But, you do have to make sure that we put a good plan together,” McVay added. “We’re utilizing all the players that we do have. What that looks like is something that’s kind of ever-evolving until we get to that game on Monday night, but you don’t ever replace a player like Robert Woods. But you do have to adjust and adapt accordingly because him, Cooper — what these guys have been able to do is very unique and all the different ways that they contribute to the offense (are) not exclusive to when they touch the ball.”
It’s always unfortunate to see players get injured, especially for guys like Woods that have been part of the turnaround for the Rams. In a game that doesn’t give you much time to express emotions with an injury, McVay realizes it’s going to take a collective effort to replace the production of Woods.