Tag: rams news

Sean McVay shares update on Jordan Whittington’s shoulder injury

Sean McVay gave an update on the shoulder injury that Jordan Whittington suffered over the weekend.

During Sean McVay’s press conference on Monday, he detailed some of the injuries suffered by the Rams, including a shoulder injury sustained by rookie receiver Jordan Whittington.

McVay said Whittington “got his shoulder” but like the other banged-up players coming out of Sunday, this injury won’t cause him to miss any time.

As Rams fans were witnessed to on Sunday, Whittington put his body on the line time and time again, including a diving catch where he seemingly landed on his shoulder.

He was also tackled hard on a crossing route late in the game, landing on his shoulder that time, as well. He completed the catch still.

Fortunately for the Rams, he isn’t expected to miss any time and with the team having a bye this week, he should be 100 percent by their next game.

Rams activate Ahkello Witherspoon, Xavier Smith for Week 5

The Rams made their final roster moves before Sunday’s game against the Packers, activating Ahkello Witherspoon and Xavier Smith from the PS

The Rams made multiple roster moves on Saturday, activating Ahkello Witherspoon and Xavier Smith from the practice squad onto the game-day roster.

Witherspoon was active for the first time last week in Chicago. In 2023, Witherspoon started 17 games for the Rams, setting career-highs in eight statistical categories. He’ll revert back to the practice squad after the game.

Xavier Smith is activated from the practice squad for the third time this season. Due to NFL rules, if the Rams want to promote Smith again, they will have to sign him to their active roster after the game.

The Rams also placed DT Larrell Murchison on injured reserve and activated CB Darious Williams. Williams was placed on IR before the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

Williams will take the field on Sunday. After spending the last two seasons with Jacksonville, this will be Williams’ first time putting on a Rams jersey since his winning effort in Super Bowl LVI.

Mike LaFleur not panicking over Rams’ red zone struggles but ‘we have to be better’

Mike LeFleur spoke candidly about the Rams’ red zone issues, sharing insight on his approach to fixing it.

Mike LaFleur was sincere when asked about the Rams’ red zone issues. He addressed failures on behalf of himself, the coaching staff, and the players, which have led to the Rams ranking 28th in red zone touchdown percentage.

“When you get down there your execution, everything has to be tighter,” he said. “It starts with all of us, coaches, players. We’re all in this thing together. There’s no panic from it. It’s been a small sample size. Of course, in this league when you kick field goals like we have, you get the results that we got on Sunday. We have to find ways we know, as a unit. We have to be better down there and we will be. We’ll continue to work at it.”

Expecting improvements as the season continues, one should think a run-first approach to red zone situations from here on out. The Rams entered the Chicago red zone four times last week and they scored a touchdown on only one of those possessions, a Kyren Williams touchdown run.

On the Rams’ only possession within Chicago’s 10-yard line, Matthew Stafford threw three passes. He completed one for 2 yards. The Rams settled for a field goal, making the score 10-9, Bears.

Chicago would score a touchdown on the next drive and the Rams never regained the lead despite outgaining Chicago, 322-264.

Jordan Whittington catching on quickly with Rams: ‘It’s just not too big for him’

Rams OC Mike LaFleur expects Jordan Whittington to “be in this league for a long time”

Jordan Whittington had a career game against Chicago in Week 4 as the rookie pass catcher from Texas hauled in six receptions for 62 yards. Having bigger responsibilities due to injuries in the wide receiver room, Whittington has been thrown into the fire and according to OC Mike LeFleur, he’s thriving.

“I’ve said this before, but it’s just not too big for him,” LaFleur said Thursday. “He’s played in big games. He’s getting more acclimated with the NFL, the speed of it and just playing on Sundays. Again, he put in a good day yesterday. We’re putting a little bit more on his plate every single week in terms of the run game, the pass game, formationally, and he’s handling well. He’s a pro. He’s going to be in this league for a long time.”

Impressed by Whittington’s preseason, LaFleur has seen his role become bigger week by week. Since Week 1 where Whittington had zero targets, his targets have increased by two, three, and now eight in the following weeks.

A big-game player, Whittington starred for the Texas Longhorns, who won the Big 12 championship and secured a berth in the college football playoff last season.

Cooper Kupp’s impact still felt in Rams’ WR room despite being sidelined

Cooper Kupp may have gone from player to teacher while he recovers from injury but his impact to the Rams remains the same.

When asked if Cooper Kupp would be practicing this week, Sean McVay told reporters that their star receiver is a no-go as he’s recovering from an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 2 against Arizona.

Despite Kupp’s inability to play, he still has a key role on the team as a teacher and mentor to his fellow pass catchers.

It’s been noted that Kupp played a massive role last year in Puka Nacua’s success, teaching him some of the nuances of the game. But according to Sean McVay, that wasn’t a one-off.

“He’s always been that, whether he’s out there [or] whether he isn’t,” McVay said. “He is an extension of the coaching staff. He’s always providing little tidbits of information. I think sometimes that player’s perspective is something that can be so beneficial because those are the guys that know and understand the intricacies of their experiences. I think it resonates with a lot of those guys.”

And the work has paid off with Tutu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Whittington contributing at a higher rate than expected this season, each finding success.

With veteran Robinson’s role seemingly shrinking, we could see more of Whittington, who had a career-high performance against the Bears and has become a bigger piece to this offense.

Maybe it will be Kupp’s teachings that launch a big season from a Day 3 rookie for the second year in a row.

Sean McVay pleased with Tutu Atwell’s start to 2024 season

Tutu Atwell has been incredible for the Rams in 2024. Here’s what Sean McVay had to say about the receiver’s fast start.

When Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua fell victim to injury, the question of who would step up in their absence became the top priority for the Rams. While Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson were seen as early contenders, it’s Tutu Atwell who’s taken the reins and grabbed his opportunity.

Once seen as a player who was buried on the depth chart, Atwell has established himself as a critical member of the offense, leading the team in receiving yards in back-to-back weeks.

When questioned about what was different about Atwell this year compared to last season, Sean McVay said “he’s improved.”

“I think he’s taken advantage of his opportunities,” McVay said Wednesday. “He’s done a good job of being able to make the most of the chances that he’s had when he is being targeted, whether that be on some of the early downs or even third downs but I’ve been pleased with two the last couple weeks.”

Atwell has averaged over 20 yards per catch over the last two weeks. He’s hauled in 11 catches out of 15 targets on the year.

Atwell is in the last year of his rookie contract, so this is an important season for the fourth-year receiver.

Look: Stetson Bennett had to wear Alabama gear after losing a bet to a teammate

Stetson Bennett seemingly lost a bet to a Rams teammate on Saturday’s Georgia-Alabama game and he had to pay the price

Two-time national champion and Rams QB Stetson Bennett’s love for his Georgia Bulldogs knows no bounds. The former Heisman finalist was forced to wear Alabama gear after Georgia’s loss to the Crimson Tide this past Saturday, likely because he lost a bet to Rams tight end Miller Forristall.

Naturally, Forristall shared a photo of Bennett in Alabama apparel for everyone to see.

Forristall played for the Crimson Tide from 2016-2020.

Bennett and Forristall did play each other once in college, a 41-24 win for Alabama. Forristall had three receptions for 29 yards in that game while Bennett had 269 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Forristall would go on to win the national championship that season, the second of his career. Bennett would proceed to win the next two titles.

Sean McVay praises Caleb Williams ahead of Sunday’s matchup

Before they hit the field on Sunday, Sean McVay took a moment to praise Caleb Williams, sharing his own scouting report on the Bears’ QB1.

Sean McVay loves football, no doubt about it, but he likes to give friendly reminders about not only how much he enjoys the sport, but also how much he consumes it.

Before Sunday’s matchup against the Bears in Chicago, McVay was asked about his thoughts on Caleb Williams and his game plan to stop him.

“I’ve watched this guy for a long time, whether it was when he first started playing at Oklahoma or USC and he is a stud,” McVay said Friday. “All the accolades that have been earned based on his body of work and his resume, he’s checking all the boxes. You can see he knows what he’s looking at. He can process, he can play within the pocket, play with the timing and rhythm, deliver the ball with accuracy and anticipation, and then when things do go off-schedule, he’s a nightmare to defend because he keeps his eyes down the field. He can extend plays in the pass game, but then he also has the athleticism, strength, and the instincts as a runner to be able to tuck the ball down and do those types of things. He was going to be the number one overall pick for a long time. I think that’s been earned and he’s a great competitor. That’s one of the things that you look at. I think he’s a tremendous competitor and we have our hands full. He has some really good players around him and then obviously familiar with the good coaches that he’s surrounded with as well.”

While Williams may have individual talents, it has yet to mesh with the Bears’ offense. Looking to rewrite that narrative, Bears OC Shane Waldron, a former assistant under McVay, had Williams throw the ball over 50 times in their last game.

The Rams’ DBs will have their work cut out for them with a pass happy attack and Keenan Allen expected to play after missing the last two games.

Why the Rams should trade for Bryce Young

Bryce Young is a pariah in Carolina and perhaps it should be the Rams that capitalize on the Panthers’ shortcomings.

Bryce Young, the former first overall pick, could be on the outs in Carolina. He had a rough rookie season compounded by an even worse start to the 2024 NFL season. Upon being benched by the Panthers, Andy Dalton was called into service and balled out against the Raiders last week, cementing Dalton’s place as QB1 and leaving Young in no man’s land.

Young, a native of Pasadena, California, is very familiar with Los Angeles as he starred for LA county powerhouse Mater Dei and was once set to play for USC.

Young needs a fresh start and it should be in the place he called home for the majority of his adolescence. Young should be a Ram.

Now, the Rams should not trade anything higher than a fourth-round pick for him and quite frankly, the Panthers should be happy if someone gives them that. They have no leverage, no bargaining room, no market for their young QB.

Young would fit perfectly in the Rams’ offense as it’s very similar to what he ran at Alabama. The Rams have some of the best offensive minds in the league and for Young, he would be exposed to resources unseen in Carolina.

Sean McVay, Scott Frost, Matthew Stafford, Dave Ragone, Jerry Schuplinski, Rob Calabrese and Nathan Scheelhaase are all either current QBs, former QBs or coach QBs, giving Young the resources to rewrite his career.

Young in LA would be the backup, allowing him to grow in a low-pressure environment with a play caller who understands his needs, should Young ever be called into service. If Stafford plays beyond Young’s rookie deal, he’s a tradeable asset with his value increased by coming from the Rams’ system.

It’s low-risk, high-reward. Young was drafted first overall for a reason. When I watched him in college, I remember seeing him struggle as a true freshman behind Mac Jones. He learned, he grew and then he won a Heisman. Why not have history repeat itself? At least give it a chance.

The best part, the Rams don’t have to make a move immediately. They can wait for the market to get worse for Carolina. Then they can sweep in whenever opportunity calls.

Sean McVay praises Tutu Atwell’s performance in win over 49ers

Tutu Atwell led the Rams in receptions and receiving yards on Sunday. Here’s what Sean McVay had to say about his performance.

Tutu Atwell had himself a game against the 49ers, hauling in four receptions for 93 yards. He also caused a defensive pass interference penalty that moved the ball 48 yards and led to points for the Rams. Atwell was living up to the promise that he once had when the Rams drafted him, and he quickly established himself as the team’s go-to receiver in the absence of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.

This fact was not lost on Sean McVay, who praised the receiver on Monday. McVay went deeper into his evaluation, recognizing how well Atwell played in key situations.

“He’s done a good job with that,” he said. “A couple of key third downs that he made catches on, obviously the deep ball on our sideline was a great track over his shoulder. I think he ended up with 93 yards on the day, but he had a 48-yard ‘PI’ that doesn’t go on the stats, but it moved our offense forward 48 yards that led to a scoring drive. There is a lot of trust. I think he and Matthew have a good trust. He did a lot of really good things for us last year and let’s see if we can build on that. Tutu made some big plays for us. He knew that he was going to get an opportunity and he delivered. Again, just happy for him and now let’s see how we move forward the right way.”

Matthew Stafford has had a go-to guy throughout his career. Whether it be Nacua or Kupp or even back to Calvin Johnson and Kenny Golladay, Stafford has the guy and Atwell is proving he can be that guy at the moment.

What separates Atwell from the rest of the receivers listed above is his quickness and lower center of gravity. Perhaps that will open up opportunities for big plays, especially with yards after catch. In the meantime, if Atwell continues his newly found level of play, the Rams’ season may just be getting started.