Tag: rams OTAs

Rams announce dates for 2024 OTAs and mandatory minicamp

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.

Look: Cooper Kupp is back at Rams OTAs

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.

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87 best photos from Rams OTAs so far

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.

Watch highlights from Rams’ first week of OTAs

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.

5 things to know as Rams kick off OTAs on Monday

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.

Terrell Burgess showing ‘really encouraging things’ at Rams OTAs

Sean McVay has been encouraged by what he’s seen from Terrell Burgess in OTAs, as well as other DBs

The Rams’ secondary is led by Jalen Ramsey and Jordan Fuller, but at the other three starting positions, there are some questions. Troy Hill should be a starter after the Rams acquired him from the Browns, but he’ll have to earn that spot, too.

The nickel role and second safety job are up for grabs, and while it’s still early in the offseason, Sean McVay is encouraged by what he’s seen – most notably with Terrell Burgess, who has played sparingly in his first two seasons.

“I don’t think it can be minimized what a good job David Long did last year, as well,” McVay said on Wednesday. “I thought he played really well throughout the playoffs. Handful of important, significant snaps. Seeing Nick Scott pick up where left off. You know Jordan Fuller’s gonna be ready to go. Taylor Rapp’s been great. And I’m seeing really encouraging things from Terrell Burgess. So there’s a lot of competitive opportunities to see take place and unfold at training camp, but that’s a positive thing and some of these young guys are exciting, as well.”

Burgess was surprisingly passed over at seemingly every turn last year. He played 16 games and suited up for all four playoff contests, but he played just 90 defensive snaps in the regular season and 65 in the postseason when the secondary was decimated by injuries.

The coaching staff even turned to Eric Weddle, who was two years into retirement, before giving Burgess significant playing time, which was a bad sign for the young safety. It’s good to hear that he’s impressing McVay in OTAs, and he’ll need to keep that up into training camp if he wants to finally break through as a key contributor.

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4 Rams players who need to stand out in OTAs

These four players need to stand out as the Rams progress through OTAs.

Organized team activities, or OTAs, are underway in Thousand Oaks as the Rams progress through their offseason program. While position battles won’t heat up until training camp when the pads come on, there’s still plenty that coaches can take away from practices this time of year.

These four players need to stand out during OTAs to give themselves a leg up on the competition before mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp in July.

Matthew Stafford: Rookies bring an ‘injection of excitement’ to Rams OTAs

Matthew Stafford loves the energy rookies bring to OTAs every year, and the 2022 class is no exception

Matthew Stafford has been in the NFL for 13 years, so he’s grown used to seeing fresh faces take the field for the first time in OTAs each year. The Los Angeles Rams welcomed more than 20 rookies to the roster this offseason through the draft and undrafted free agency, with each player fighting to make the regular-season roster in September.

It’s still very early in the process for the Rams’ rookies but Stafford has already seen the energy they’ve brought to the field after just one day of OTAs. He told reporters Monday that rookies always provide a spark with their excitement as practices get underway.

“I think the biggest thing is every time you get the rookies in here, there’s just an injection of excitement,” Stafford said. “These guys are getting to be on the field for their first time with all of us out there, and watching those guys run around and enjoy it. Understand there’s a long way to go for them, but at the same time, getting to watch those guys compete, which is a lot of fun for me.”

Logan Bruss was the Rams’ top draft pick this year, being selected 104th overall in the third round. He’ll be competing for starting reps at right guard, though it might take him some time to carve out a role as a rookie.

Decobie Durant, Kyren Williams and Derion Kendrick are among the other Rams rookies competing this summer, attempting to fill voids left by Darious Williams and Sony Michel.

Check out photos from Rams’ first day of 2022 OTAs

The Rams held their first practice of OTAs on Monday, giving fans a look at Allen Robinson, Bobby Wagner and the rest of the team

The Los Angeles Rams got a late start on their offseason this year after playing into the middle of February – not that they’ll complain about the extra work leading to a Super Bowl ring. It doesn’t feel like that long ago they were hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium, yet here they are already beginning OTAs.

They kicked things off on Monday in Thousand Oaks, holding their first practice of OTAs. Allen Robinson, Bobby Wagner, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and the Rams’ rookies were on the field in jerseys and helmets, going through individual drills and 7-on-7 sessions – without hitting, of course.

Check out some of the best photos from Day 1 of OTAs as the Rams continue their preparation for the 2022 season.

Darrell Henderson Jr. misses 1st day of OTAs with soft-tissue injury

Darrell Henderson Jr. missed the first day of Rams OTAs with an injury. Van Jefferson, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey were also absent.

The Rams started OTAs (organized team activities) on Monday, which means players can get on the field wearing helmets for practice. There are still no pads or hitting, as it’s still early in the process, but we’re inching closer to mandatory minicamp and eventually training camp.

Teams aren’t required to report injuries or disclose why a player missed a session, and players can’t be fined for sitting out OTAs, but the Rams had a handful of notable names missing from the first practice on Monday.

Darrell Henderson Jr. didn’t practice after he suffered what Sean McVay called a soft-tissue injury last week that he “pushed through last season that crept back up.” Van Jefferson also missed practice, and McVay said the team is just taking it slow with him and other players who may have been recovering from injuries at the end of last season.

Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey were also absent from practice, though not due to injury. Donald, who turned 31 on Monday, is spending time with his family and McVay said the “dialogue has been good” between himself and Donald.

Players are not required to attend these voluntary OTA sessions right now, so it’s no concern when a player doesn’t practice. When mandatory minicamp rolls around in early June, that’s when the Rams want to see everyone in attendance.