Tag: jake funk

5 Rams to watch in preseason Week 2 vs. Texans

The Rams will host the Texans in Week 2 of the preseason and here are 5 players that fans should be monitoring on Friday.

The Los Angeles Rams got started on the right foot in their preseason opener versus the Los Angeles Chargers, defeating the team they share a stadium with by a score of 29-22. It was an exciting contest for an exhibition game as the Rams had multiple players stand out with strong performances.

After taking on the Chargers, the Rams will host the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the preseason this Friday. Even though Sean McVay won’t deploy many starters in the preseason, there are still plenty of notable players to keep an eye on.

Ahead of Friday’s preseason bout with the Texans, let’s take a look at five members of the Rams that fans should be watching closely.

Johnny Mundt (knee) and Jake Funk (hamstring) both out for season

Johnny Mundt and Jake Funk have both been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t have any trouble putting away the New York Giants in Week 6, but they didn’t come away from the game completely unscathed. Both Johnny Mundt and Jake Funk suffered injuries on Sunday, knocking them out for the second half of the contest.

On Monday, Sean McVay revealed that Mundt and Funk will both be out for the rest of the season, per J.B. Long.

Mundt injured his knee and Funk tore his hamstring, and both players will undergo surgery.

Mundt exited in the first half of the game with a knee injury that was discovered to be a torn ACL. The Rams will place Mundt on season-ending injured reserve. While Mundt isn’t a lethal weapon through the air, he’s a capable pass-catcher that is useful as a blocker.

The five-year veteran has caught 10 passes for 93 yards in his career. Mundt saw an increase in playing time behind Tyler Higbee with Gerald Everett departing in free agency. We could see either Jacob Harris or Brycen Hopkins in an expanded role amid the absence of Mundt.

As for Funk, the rookie running back sustained a hamstring injury on Sunday versus the Giants.

Funk spent most of his time on special teams, playing in more than 50% of the Rams’ special teams snaps in four out of the first six weeks. With Cam Akers, Raymond Calais, and Xavier Jones all on injured reserve already, Funk was serving as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart behind Darrell Henderson Jr. and Sony Michel.

Seeing that Los Angeles is now thin at running back, they could look to add someone in free agency. And given Funk’s role, the Rams may prioritize someone that can contribute on special teams.

Hopefully, Mundt and Funk can come back stronger for the Rams in 2022.

Sean McVay feels good about Rams’ return specialists, including Jake Funk

Sean McVay says the Rams have options in the return game, with Jake Funk being one of them.

During the preseason, the Rams had a bunch of different players returning kickoffs and punts, sorting through the several options they had in that phase of the game after waiving last year’s return specialist, Nsimba Webster, before camp. Tutu Atwell got opportunities, as did Otis Anderson Jr., Raymond Calais and Jeremiah Haydel. Atwell is the only one on the active roster, however, so he seems like the favorite to return kicks this year.

Jake Funk is also in the mix too, however, despite not getting any reps in that role during the preseason. Sean McVay said on Friday that he feels good about the Rams’ options in the return game, hinting that it could be Funk handling those duties.

“I feel good. We’ve got some different options with guys that can do that. We’ll see on Sunday,” he said.

McVay was then asked if it’s certain that Funk will be the team’s return specialist, to which he said with a smirk, “There’s a chance that it’ll be Jake Funk.”

When the Rams were scouting Funk as he was coming out of Maryland, his value on special teams was something that stood out. He only returned 13 kickoffs and one punt in college, but he’s an explosive player with good vision.

McVay says the Rams viewed Funk as a kick returner when they drafted him, noting his versatility on offense and special teams.

“We did and really he’s a guy that we liked because he did so many good things on special teams. And then in the limited inventory that you had, as far as playing the running back position, you saw the explosiveness, saw the ability to be able to make plays in the run game, but also contribute in the pass game,” McVay said of Funk. “He has got the toughness to be able to pick up blitzes and stick his face on people and protection.  Since he has gotten here, he’s been mature beyond his years. Really have a lot of confidence in him with whatever role he’s asked on Sunday that he’ll do a great job and he’s earned that right for us to feel that way.”

So when the ball is booted in the air by the Bears for the first time on Sunday night, that’s when we’ll learn who the Rams’ kick returner will be – and probably not a second before then.

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Rams still have a plan for Xavier Jones and Jake Funk despite Sony Michel’s arrival

Les Snead has seen enough from Xavier Jones and Jake Funk to know they should still have roles with the Rams.

When the Rams announced that they traded for Sony Michel, fans immediately wondered what the addition might mean for Jake Funk and Xavier Jones. They each seemed likely to carve out a role behind Darrell Henderson Jr., but with Michel stepping in, their opportunities will be limited.

That doesn’t mean they’ll be left off the 53-man roster, however.

Les Snead told reporters on Wednesday that the team still has a plan for Jones and Funk after evaluating both players in camp and the preseason. They’ve seemingly done enough to stick on the regular-season roster, with their roles varying based on multiple factors.

“I think we’ve definitely seen enough to go, ‘OK, in this take with Jake and Xavier that this is how they can contribute. Let’s call it on Sunday night for the Rams. And this is how they might be able to contribute four or five weeks later,’” Snead said. “So, we’ve definitely identified that. And again, now it comes in phases and stages. This may be a Sunday night against the Bears role. This might be more of a future role. And then all of a sudden, some unforeseen adversity occurs, or attrition and the role just changed and it’s a more important role.”

As good as Funk and Jones have looked in practice and the preseason, the Rams clearly felt the need to add some depth and talent. It’s no coincidence that the addition of Michel came right after Raymond Calais fractured his foot, which left Los Angeles with only three capable backs.

It’s hard to imagine Jones or Funk playing a big role on offense immediately with Henderson and Michel healthy, but in the event that there’s an injury ahead of them, they appear more than capable of stepping up. This move for Michel was more about depth than it was a lack of confidence in Jones and Funk.

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Jake Funk really caught Sean McVay’s eye with 56-yard game vs. Raiders

Sean McVay really liked what he saw from Jake Funk against the Raiders as the rookie rushed for 56 yards.

The result was the same, but the Los Angeles Rams looked much better in their second preseason game against the Raiders than they did in the opener against the Chargers. That’s especially true of Jake Funk, who had a lot more running room this time around than he did against L.A.

The rookie running back rushed for 56 yards on only seven carries, ripping off runs of 12, 14 and 19 yards. There’s a lot to like about the way he played in just his second preseason game, and Sean McVay was among the many who were impressed by Funk’s performance.

“I saw a lot from Funk. I thought he did a good job,” McVay said after the game. “I thought Xavier (Jones) made a couple plays. You saw him catch a couple of passes and be able to create a little bit. But I really felt Funk tonight. I thought he did a great job being able to create some explosive runs, one from the dot, one from the offset gun. But, it was good to see those guys make plays.”

Jones had a nice performance himself, rushing for 29 yards on his seven attempts, including a 12-yard run. He also caught a pass for 10 yards on second-and-8 and had runs of 12 and 13 yards called back due to penalties.

But Funk showed great burst, vision and even power, running over a defender on his first long run of the night to pick up 12 yards.

Funk is not only a lock to make the 53-man roster as a seventh-round rookie, but don’t rule out the possibility of him backing up Darrell Henderson Jr. as RB2. As long as he can block in pass protection and break off a few big plays the way he did Saturday night, he’s going to have a future with the Rams.

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Watch: Jake Funk trucks Raiders defender on his best run of preseason

Jake Funk could be the Rams’ backup running back this season if he keeps running like this.

Jake Funk seemed like a luxury pick for the Rams in the seventh round of the draft this year. He was an oft-injured running back at a position where Los Angeles didn’t seem to need help, but Funk is poised to carve out a role as a rookie.

He showed why the Rams liked him so much out of Maryland on Saturday night against the Raiders, breaking off a nice 12-yard run in the first quarter. Funk slipped through the defense at the line of scrimmage, quickly got upfield and lowered his shoulder into a defender, running over him to pick up the first down.

Funk has impressed his coaches this summer and while he still has room to grow, he’s on track to be at worst the No. 3 running back in Los Angeles, carving out a role for himself behind Darrell Henderson Jr.

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Watch: Rams rookie Jake Funk was mic’d up for 1st preseason game

Jake Funk was wearing a mic during the Rams’ first preseason game, showing some personality and fire on the field.

Jake Funk took the field in a Rams uniform for the first time on Saturday night, the team’s preseason opener against the Chargers. He carried it five times for 12 yards and caught one pass for a 5-yard loss, but his lack of production was largely because of poor blocking in front of him.

His best play of the night came on fourth-and-1 from the Rams’ own 24-yard line, as he made a defender miss in the backfield and picked up 2 yards for the first.

Funk has already become a fan favorite in the three-plus months he’s been a member of the team and it’s easy to see why. He has a great personality, is willing to do anything to help the team and has overcome a great deal of adversity after tearing his ACL twice.

Funk is a fiery player, which is exactly what teams like to see from their rookies. He has a bright future ahead of him if he’s able to stay healthy.

4 Rams players to watch vs. Chargers in preseason Week 1

Here are 4 players to pay attention to in the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 1 preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers.

While it’s in the form of preseason football, we finally have the opportunity for NFL games grace to the screens of our televisions again. The offseason can sometimes be a time for you to pick up a new hobby or sport to watch, but it’s time to insert football back into our lives. For the Los Angeles Rams, they will kick off their preseason schedule against their neighbors in the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, August 14.

Anyone that considers themselves a fan of the Rams knows that Sean McVay tends to stray away from having starters play many — if any — snaps in the preseason. McVay has already been quoted as saying that Matthew Stafford won’t ever play in the preseason as long as he’s the head coach in Los Angeles. Even though we won’t get many opportunities to see the starters play, there are a few players to keep an eye on for the Rams in their first preseason matchup versus the Chargers.

Jake Funk not changing approach despite chance to step up with Cam Akers out

Jake Funk’s mindset hasn’t changed despite there being a bigger opportunity for him with Cam Akers out.

Cam Akers was projected to be the Rams’ starting running back this season before he suffered a torn Achilles while training. Now that he’s likely out for the year, everyone on the running back depth chart moves up a spot.

That puts Darrell Henderson Jr. at the top as the starter, with Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, Raymond Calais and Otis Anderson behind him. Funk wasn’t expected to have much of a role as a rookie, but with Akers sidelined, that could change.

What won’t change is his approach to the season. He’s still going into camp with the same mindset of competing as hard as he can each day.

“I look at it the same way I did, whether Cam was active or not,” he told reporters Sunday. “You got to come in and prove yourself every single day. Regardless of who is in the room, it’s a business. So, at the end of the day, you just got to come in and prove yourself. Yeah, there’s an opportunity when another running back goes down, but I don’t look at it that way. I come into the building with the same mindset every single day and just focus on me and try to be the best version of myself.”

Funk says he learned a lot during OTAs and minicamp this spring, and over the last month and a half, he worked hard studying the playbook and offense, which should only help him as camp gets underway.

He also trained with some notable running backs in Florida ahead of his rookie season, working out at the same gym as Le’Veon Bell, Carlos Hyde and Michael Carter.

“I went down to Bommarito Performance Systems down in Aventura, Florida. I was there for three weeks. I was there with a lot of NFL guys, working out with guys like Le’Veon Bell, Carlos Hyde, Mike Carter – rookie running back for the Jets. We all were down there together working out, along with guys at other positions. It was a great opportunity for me. I was there during combine training, so I decided to go back down there because I really enjoyed it.”

Obviously, being around two veteran running backs, Funk picked their brain a bit. And the common piece of advice he received was to work hard every day and put in time in the film room.

“Being in the film room is what separates guys a lot,” he said. “You being able to study film (and) break it down ultimately translates into faster play, you’re thinking less and you’re just playing more within the game.”

Funk is an explosive running back with return ability, too. His biggest question mark coming into the NFL is durability, having suffered several significant injuries in college – including two ACL tears.

Don’t be surprised if Funk carves out a role as the second or third running back behind Henderson now that Akers is out.

Sean McVay likes what he’s seen from ‘mature rookie’ Jake Funk

Sean McVay has been impressed with Jake Funk, who he called a mature rookie and someone who’s “as advertised.”

The Los Angeles Rams practiced in front of fans for the first time Thursday, giving people a glimpse of what the team could look like come September. While holding a press conference with the media, where he discussed his thoughts thus far, Sean McVay shared that he’s fond of what he’s seen from rookie running back Jake Funk in the offseason program.

“He’s a mature rookie. I think he’s really taken to (RBs coach) Thomas Brown. What a great job Thomas does as a coach really helping these guys grow,” McVay said. “And because you get a little bit of extra time with rookies with some of the meetings and some of the things we added over the months these guys have been with us, you’ve really seen his growth, his comfort level (rise).”

When Los Angeles took Funk with the 233rd overall pick in the seventh round, some fans wondered what his role on the roster would be. Cam Akers is forecasted to be the workhorse back for the Rams, while Darrell Henderson spells him in the backfield, which leaves minimal touches for the other running backs on the roster.

Early in offseason activities, it appears that Funk will begin his career in the NFL as a contributor on special teams. Even with Funk expected to have a role on special teams rather than on offense, McVay is impressed with how the Maryland product has adjusted to the NFL so far.

While there is plenty of time between now and the season, that’s good news for Funk’s chances of making the roster when training camps conclude.