Tag: Robert Woods

Robert Woods is back with Rams but uncertain to play vs. Ravens

Robert Woods returned to the team Thursday but it remains to be seen if he’ll play against the Ravens.

Sean McVay opened his press conference on Thursday with some good news regarding Robert Woods. He announced that Woods is back with the team and will practice for the first time today.

Woods had been away from the team since Sunday when he had to leave to take care of a family matter, causing him to miss the game against Chicago. It was unclear when he would return to the Rams, but it’s good that he’s back in the fold.

As for what that means for his availability against the Ravens, that’s still to be determined.

“Robert’s here, he’s in a good place. We’re just taking it a day at a time,” McVay said, before adding “we’ll see” when asked if Woods will play on Monday night.

The Rams have kept everything in-house with regards to Woods’ situation, out of respect for him and his family. It does seem odd that McVay wouldn’t say for sure whether Woods will play against the Ravens, though, considering he’ll be back at practice Thursday and has an extra day to prepare.

Even if Woods can’t play, Brandin Cooks will be on the field for the Rams. He’s returning from his second concussion of the season, which caused him to miss the last two games.

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Robert Woods still away from team, status for Week 12 unclear

Robert Woods is still away from the team for a personal matter, and his status for Monday night is uncertain.

Robert Woods was a last-minute scratch from the Week 11 lineup on Sunday night when it was announced that he was tending to a personal matter. The Rams haven’t disclosed anything on the situation out of respect for Woods, with Sean McVay sharing very little on the wideout.

On Wednesday, McVay did open his press conference with an update on Woods. He remains away from the team and it’s unclear when he could return.

“Robert Woods is still handling his family matter. He will not be here today,” McVay said.

As for whether Woods will play on Monday night against the Ravens, that’s to be determined. McVay was asked when Woods would need to return to the team by in order to play this week, but the coach wouldn’t give a firm answer.

He did acknowledge that Woods’ experience helps, and that he’d likely be able to play on a short week of practice.

“That’s one of those things that I’d rather be able to talk to Robert, kind of just see. Most importantly is the family stuff always comes first. That’s our priority, and that’s what he’s taking care of and then we’ll worry about the football stuff a little bit later,” McVay said. “I don’t want to put a finite answer on that. He is a guy that because of what a savvy player [he is], his experience, how smart he is – I do think he’s one of the guys that does have the ability to play on a short week, but you certainly don’t want to minimize the importance of the preparation throughout the week.”

Woods is a key part of the offense, both as a receiver and blocker. He was missed on Sunday night against the Bears, as his absence was likely part of the reason the Rams only opted to throw the ball a season-low 18 times.

The Rams will be getting some help at wide receiver this week, though. Brandin Cooks, who has missed the last two games with a concussion, will play against the Ravens.

“Brandin Cooks is back. He’s excited about being able to play. He’s felt good for a couple weeks. When he’s feeling good and we’ve gotten the thumbs up from everybody else, that makes us all feel good. He’s going to play and we’re excited about that.”

The Rams host the Ravens on Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET at the Coliseum.

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Rams ‘feel good’ about Robert Woods situation: ‘He’s in a good place’

Sean McVay said there’s no concern about Robert Woods’ wellbeing as he tends to a personal matter.

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Robert Woods was a surprise scratch from Sunday night’s game against the Bears, being announced as one of the team’s seven inactives just 90 minutes before kickoff. He had to tend to a personal matter and wasn’t at the Coliseum, which created some cause for concern.

Sean McVay didn’t find out about Woods’ situation until a few hours before the game started, which made Sunday’s win even more impressive.

After the game, McVay didn’t have much of an update on Woods, saying he had to talk to the wide receiver before commenting on when he might be back with the team. On Monday, it was much of the same from McVay in terms of Woods’ status, but he did say there’s no concern about Woods’ wellbeing.

“No, we feel good. He’s in a good place,” McVay said. “We feel good about where the situation is at and his wellbeing, and that’s very, very important to us.”

McVay added that Woods is obviously still handling the personal matter and that the team will have “a little bit more of an update on that later on in the week.” Right now, they’re remaining quiet on the situation out of respect for Woods and his family.

The Rams do have an extra day to prepare this week with the Ravens coming to town for a Monday night matchup. If Woods can’t play, the Rams should at least have one of their other starting wide receivers back with Brandin Cooks (concussion) expected to play.

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Sean McVay unsure when Robert Woods will be back with Rams

Sean McVay didn’t have much of an update on Robert Woods’ situation after the Rams’ win.

The Los Angeles Rams delivered some surprising news just 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday night when they announced that Robert Woods would be inactive against the Bears. It wasn’t initially clear whether he suffered an injury at some point this weekend or exactly why he wouldn’t be suiting up, but it was revealed that he’s dealing with a personal matter.

It was a big loss for the Rams, but they were still able to come away with the 17-7 win at home. According to Sean McVay, the team didn’t know until “a couple hours before the game” that Woods wouldn’t be available.

He wouldn’t elaborate on what exactly Woods is tending to, saying he doesn’t know when the receiver will be back with the team.

“Yeah, it’s hard to say,” McVay said of when Woods will return. “I don’t want to give a finite answer on that. I most importantly want to be able to talk to him afterwards. I talked to him before the game, but want to be able to check with him and out of respect for his family, that’s why we’re just kind of leaving it at what it is.”

Woods has been the Rams’ most consistent receiver the last three seasons, playing a key role on offense. He’s not only a reliable pass catcher, but also the Rams’ best blocking wideout, leading the way for Todd Gurley countless times on the edge.

McVay should have more of an update this week as it pertains to Woods’ situation, but it’s clear the team is behind him during this time and supports him completely.

“It was a personal matter. That’s all we are going to say about that,” he said. “We love him, respect him, we are with him and his family all the way and that’s really where we will leave that at.”

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With Robert Woods out, Rams must get RBs involved in passing game

The Rams should utilize Todd Gurley and Darrell Henderson as receivers with Robert Woods out.

The Los Angeles Rams will be without two of their three starting wide receivers on Sunday night against the Bears. Brandin Cooks is out with a concussion, while Robert Woods is inactive and not at the Coliseum as he deals with a personal issue.

That leaves Cooper Kupp as the only starter who is active against Chicago, which complicates things dramatically for the Rams. He’ll start alongside Josh Reynolds, but the Rams utilize three wide receivers on the field at a time more than any other team in the league.

That creates some confusion with the game plan, because the only other receivers who could step up are Mike Thomas, JoJo Natson and the recently promoted Nsimba Webster. It’s hard to imagine any of those three players having a big impact on the game, though.

With Woods out, the Rams must get their running backs involved in the passing game – and that doesn’t just mean Todd Gurley.

Jared Goff has targeted his running backs on just 10% of the Rams’ passing plays, which is the second-lowest total in the NFL. That should change tonight. Sean McVay has to call screens and designed plays to go to the RBs in the passing game, which should help make up for Woods’ absence.

Obviously, the tight ends should be more involved, too, as both Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett are active after battling injuries during the week of practice. However, this should be the game where Gurley and Darrell Henderson break out as receivers.

Gurley’s hands haven’t been reliable, and Henderson has only been targeted six times (four catches), but they have a better chance of impacting this game than Natson, Webster and Thomas.

Rams Week 11 inactives: Robert Woods (personal) out vs. Bears

Robert Woods is inactive against the Bears, leaving Cooper Kupp as the only starting wide receiver who’s active.

The Los Angeles Rams will need all hands on deck against the Bears on Sunday night with several players battling injuries. They’re already without Rob Havenstein (knee) and Brandin Cooks (concussion), who were ruled out earlier in the week, while Brian Allen (knee) is out for the year, too.

Robert Woods is a shocking scratch for Sunday night, as he will be inactive. He was healthy all week and did not appear on the injury report, so this came out of nowhere. That leaves Cooper Kupp as the only starting wide receiver who is active against the Bears.

According to the team, Woods is not at the Coliseum for the game and is dealing with a personal issue.

It’s worth noting that the Rams did add Nsimba Webster to the 53-man roster on Saturday, waiving John Kelly to make room for him. Perhaps the Rams knew Woods wouldn’t be able to play on Sunday, and they didn’t need to disclose anything since the final injury report came out on Friday.

On the bright side, both Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett are active for Sunday’s game against Chicago, as is Austin Blythe. Blythe and Kupp came down with a stomach bug on Friday and weren’t certain to play, though Sean McVay expected them to.

For the Bears, running back David Montgomery is also active. He was said to be a game-time decision and he’s healthy enough to play against the Rams.

Robert Woods knows a big raise is in his future: ‘It’s coming’

Robert Woods commented on his contract situation, having two-plus years left on his deal.

In terms of annual salary, Robert Woods is 37th among all wide receivers in the NFL. He’s currently making $6.8 million per year and his contract runs through 2021. His five-year, $34 million deal signed back in 2017 now looks like a bargain after he posted 1,219 yards and six touchdowns last season.

The Rams technically don’t have to re-sign him until after the 2021 season, but as we’ve seen throughout the history of the NFL, contracts are often ripped up and players are given raises before their deals expire. That could be what happens with Woods, given how much he’s outplayed his current contract.

He brought up his deal and future payday when talking to TMZ, saying he sees a raise on the horizon if he keeps up his steady play.

“What do you think about my contract?” he asked the cameraman, flashing a big smile. After being told “I think you need a raise, you’ve been killing it,” Woods agreed.

“Oh yeah, it’s coming. The work will take care of itself. I’ve been grinding, been trying to let it pay off. The money will be there when its time,” he said.

The timing of it all remains a huge mystery. The Rams already have Brandin Cooks on a big contract, which will carry a cap hit of $16.8 million in 2020. Cooper Kupp will need an extension after next season, too, with his contract expiring.

Woods could be the odd man out if the Rams don’t move on from Cooks in the coming years, which would be a huge disappointment. He’s been their most reliable receiver the last three years and can do it all at wideout – from running good routes to blocking.

If it’s not Los Angeles that pays him, someone certainly will.

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