Kyren Williams was expected to miss the rest of the offseason program with a foot injury but he returned on Thursday and was looking good
Kyren Williams was dealing with a “foot issue,” as Sean McVay described it, a couple of weeks ago and was expected to miss the rest of the Rams’ offseason program. He had been sidelined but on Thursday, he returned to the practice field.
It was a pleasant surprise for the Rams, even if it is just OTAs, after it was believed that he’d be out until training camp in July. The team shared a video of Williams going through individual drills and he was showing no ill effects from whatever the foot injury was.
He looked quick going through his cuts, moving at seemingly full speed. Williams is established enough that he doesn’t even necessarily need these spring sessions but being the hard worker that he is, he was probably itching to get back out there.
Cooper Kupp was mic’d up during OTAs and he gave undrafted rookie Drake Stoops some route-running tips between reps
Cooper Kupp brings a ton of value to the Los Angeles Rams, both on the field and off it. On Sundays, he’s one of the league’s best receivers when healthy. During the week, he and Matthew Stafford incessantly prepare for their upcoming opponents in the film room with their own early-morning tape sessions.
This time of year, he helps the younger players on the roster by coaching them up in practice. He did just that during OTAs this spring, taking some time to share tips with undrafted rookie Drake Stoops between reps.
The Rams caught a couple of those conversations when Kupp was mic’d up, sharing the video on YouTube Thursday.
“You did good, though. Good job staying down, driving through that next one before your eyes snapped back. Helps you turn,” Kupp told Stoops.
They continued chatting later in practice, too.
“I think the best ones happen when it’s a counter to what you’re trying to do,” Kupp said. “I want to go in but I don’t think it’s that break. I’m going to go out. Those are the best ones. You don’t predetermine. You just feel it as the rep goes.”
Stoops must spend a lot of time studying Kupp’s tape because he had some Sean McVay-like recall during that chat with Kupp. He remembered a certain technique Kupp used against the Saints years ago.
“Like the one against the Saints at the Coliseum,” Stoops said.
“Back in 2018,” Kupp added.
“It looks like you did that same thing,” Stoops said.
Kupp: “Same thing.”
The Rams played the Saints on the road in 2018 and at home in 2019, so either Stoops got the location wrong or Kupp got the year wrong. Regardless, it was a great conversation between the two wideouts and an impressive callback by Stoops.
There may not be a better wide receiver in the NFL to learn from than Kupp so Stoops is in a great position to succeed in L.A.
Jordan Whittington is picking up things quickly at Rams OTAs, which has impressed OC Mike LaFleur
Being a rookie in the NFL can be overwhelming. Being a rookie receiver in Sean McVay’s offense is even more challenging.
Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are among the Rams receivers to have an immediate impact as rookies, and Jordan Whittington will try to be the next. Lauded for his intelligence and work ethic, Whittington is unsurprisingly making a good first impression in OTAs this spring.
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur discussed how quickly Whittington is picking things up, which isn’t necessarily easy with all of the nuances to McVay’s offense.
“First of all, all those rookies, we’re throwing them in a lot of different spots in a lot of different situations,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “Maybe some a little bit more than others, but he’s doing a great job. You can tell he’s really taking what he’s learning in the classroom to the field. I said it last year about Puka, but how beneficial for a young receiver to be in that room with a guy like (WRs coach Eric Yarber) ‘Yarbs’ and then obviously guys like Cooper Kupp and now Puka going into Year 2. What a blessing it is for those guys to be around people like them.”
Whittington told Stu Jackson of TheRams.com that he appreciates the help Kupp has provided in the first couple of weeks of OTAs, guiding the rookie receiver on how to learn McVay’s complex offense.
“It’s a lot of information in a short amount of time, so just trying to figure out how to be a professional, and I have like one of the best ones in my room,” Whittington said. “He’s a really good guy, and he’s not selfish with how he learns things. So him just teaching me how to learn and me just watching, I’ve been able to like learn different ways to learn throughout this process.”
Whittington was a sixth-round pick by the Rams this year and while there isn’t exactly a clear path to playing time, he’s expected to contribute early on as a special teams player. He could also get reps as a return specialist and with Ben Skowronek now out of the picture, Whittington may be a valuable receiver to have when the Rams run the ball thanks to his blocking ability.
Nacua, Kupp, Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell are projected to be the top four wideouts on the depth chart right now but if Whittington stands out in training camp and the preseason, he could get opportunities to play early in the season.
The Rams have taken it easy with Jonah Jackson this offseason as he continues to rehab injuries from 2023
Jonah Jackson was the Rams’ big free-agent signing this offseason, inking him to a three-year deal worth $51 million. It was a somewhat surprising move by Los Angeles, which had just signed Kevin Dotson to a similar contract before free agency began, but it’s one that will greatly improve the interior of the offensive line.
To ensure their prized addition is healthy and available for the regular season, the Rams are taking it slow with Jackson in the early portion of the offseason program. Sean McVay told reporters that the team is “being smart” with Jackson as he continues to recover from injuries that nagged him in 2023.
“We’re just being smart with him,” McVay said. “He had some things after the season that we’re just not quite ready for… He’s done a lot of stuff as it relates to just jog throughs, the mental stuff, making good progress, but when he’ll be able to take part in the full 11-on-11 stuff, we expect that to happen at some point this offseason but right now we want to be smart with him.”
Jackson missed time with a wrist injury during the regular season and then was sidelined in the NFC title game due to a knee injury, so it’s possible Jackson is still rehabbing those ailments. As important as it is for players to participate in these OTA sessions, particularly newcomers, there’s a long way to go until Week 1 and the primary goal is for everyone to be healthy.
Jackson will be the Rams’ starting left guard alongside Steve Avila and left tackle Alaric Jackson, with Dotson at right guard and Rob Havenstein manning the other tackle spot.
Check out photos from the Rams’ first open practice of OTAs, including some shots of Jared Verse, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams kicked off OTAs this week with some on-field work, welcoming rookies to the party for the first time. Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and Blake Corum have been out there with the likes of Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Kobie Turner as the team ramps things up ahead of the 2024 season.
Tuesday’s session was the first one open to the media, so photographers were able to grab some shots of not only the veterans on the team, but also the newcomers. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was in attendance as an observer and friend of Sean McVay’s, while Jordan Whittington, Verse and Tre Tomlinson were also on the field working.
Here are 43 photos from Tuesday’s practice in Thousand Oaks.
The Rams have set their schedule for OTAs and mandatory minicamp this spring, with players reporting on April 15
There’s a lot of work to do before the 2024 season begins in September and the Los Angeles Rams will be back in the building sooner rather than later. The NFL announced offseason workout dates for all 32 teams on Friday, revealing when Rams players will return for the spring program.
The first day will be April 15, which is when players will report to the team’s facility. The first two phases will be limited to meetings, strength and conditioning and on-field work, but no team drills are permitted during the first five weeks of the offseason program.
Once OTAs begin in May, the Rams can begin offense vs. defense drills in 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 settings. After that, there will be a three-day mandatory minicamp in June before the team breaks for summer.
First Day: April 15
OTA Offseason Workouts: May 20-21, May 23, May 28-29, May 31, June 3-6
Mandatory Minicamp: June 10-12
With such a young team and a bunch of rookies joining the mix in April’s draft, the Rams will find value in these offseason workouts. There’s a lot for these players to learn, and for coaches in new roles like defensive coordinator Chris Shula is, this will be an opportunity to get the ball rolling.
Cooper Kupp is back with the Rams for OTAs after taking some planned time with his family
Cooper Kupp wasn’t in attendance for the start of Rams OTAs in May, though his absence was expected. Sean McVay told reporters last month that Kupp and Aaron Donald both had “family stuff that they’re taking care of,” which the team knew about “for a long time.” In other words, their absences from these voluntary workouts were completely excused, with Kupp expecting the birth of his third child.
This week, Kupp returned to the team’s facility and was present for Tuesday’s session. He went through some individual work on the side as he continues to recover from an ankle injury suffered last season.
The Rams are going to take it slow with their star receiver, not rushing him back from injury – especially this early in the offseason. The primary goal is for him to be ready for training camp and eventually Week 1, and all indications are he’ll be fully healthy for both.
Kupp, along with Donald and Matthew Stafford, is one of the Rams’ most important players in 2023 so having him on the field for all 17 regular-season games is essential to their success.
Check out some of the best photos from Rams OTAs so far, including shots of rookies on the practice field for the first time
The Los Angeles Rams didn’t hold a rookie minicamp like the other 31 teams in the NFL, but their rookies are quickly getting acclimated to the NFL during OTAs. The Rams have been hard at work on the practice field for the last two weeks, holding five days of OTA sessions thus far.
There are still five more to go before mandatory minicamp in the middle of June, but there’s already been some good competition through the first two weeks of OTAs.
With rookies hitting the field for the first time and strapping on their helmets, it’s exciting to finally see some highlights and photos of the Rams’ first-year players. Here are 87 of the best photos from OTAs so far, including some shots of the rookies.
Check out highlights from the Rams’ first week of OTAs
The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up their first week of OTAs, continuing their offseason training program before eventually ramping up the competition in training camp in July. The Rams have seven more days of OTAs in the coming weeks, which will bring them to the maximum of 10 days of practice during this phase of the offseason.
They’ll then hold mandatory minicamp in June, which is when everyone on the roster is expected to be in attendance.
The Rams shared a highlight video from their first three days of OTAs, featuring Matthew Stafford, rookies and Tutu Atwell, who’s wearing No. 5 now.
Everything you need to know as the Rams begin OTAs on Monday, from practice types to players to watch
The Los Angeles Rams have officially entered Phase 3 of their offseason workout program, which means the start of OTAs (organized team activities). It’s the next step in the process as they continue to prepare for the 2023 season, ramping up the intensity a bit before mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp.
The Rams begin OTAs on Monday, as do 19 other teams across the NFL. These won’t be high-tempo practices with tackling the way training camp sessions are, but team drills are now permitted.
Here are five things to know as the Rams get things underway on Monday in Thousand Oaks.
