Tag: Steve Avila

Everything to know about Rams’ IR situation: Who’s on it, how many can return and when?

The Rams currently have 11 players on IR but not all of them will be able to return this season. Here’s what you need to know about LA’s tough situation.

It’s only Week 3 but the Los Angeles Rams’ roster has been decimated by injuries already. It makes their 0-2 start even worse, knowing players such as Steve Avila, Puka Nacua, Jonah Jackson and John Johnson III won’t be back for awhile.

Cooper Kupp is also injured, but unlike the four players above, he has not been placed on injured reserve – yet, at least. Sean McVay said it’s still possible Kupp will go on IR with an ankle injury, but the team is undecided as of now.

Part of the reason they didn’t place Kupp on IR is that they’re limited in the number of players who can be designated to return from IR. If they keep putting players on IR, not everyone will be able to return, so the Rams have to be selective – even if it means an injured player taking up a roster spot.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Rams’ dubious IR situation, including the players currently on the list and when they can return.

Who’s currently on IR?

  1. OL Steve Avila (knee)
  2. OL Jonah Jackson (shoulder)
  3. S John Johnson III (shoulder)
  4. CB Derion Kendrick (knee)
  5. OL Conor McDermott (undisclosed)
  6. WR Puka Nacua (knee)
  7. OL Joe Noteboom (ankle)
  8. CB Tre Tomlinson (undisclosed)
  9. CB Darious Williams (hamstring)
  10. OL KT Leveston (ankle)
  11. DT Larrell Murchison (arm)

How many games do they have to miss?

Players who are placed on injured reserve must miss a minimum of four games. Not four weeks, but four games. After the fourth game, teams are able to designate a player to return from IR, at which point they can begin practicing.

Once a player is designated to return, the team has a 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster. If he’s not activated in that timeframe, he will remain on IR for the rest of the season.

How many players can be designated to return?

Teams are allowed to designate eight players to return from IR, or 10 if the team reaches the playoffs. So for the Rams, they already have 11 players on IR, two of whom have already been ruled out for the year (Derion Kendrick and Tre Tomlinson).

That leaves nine other players who are eligible to return. Leveston and Murchison were designated to return before the season started, and it’s expected that the other seven players could all be back at some point this year.

When is each player first eligible to return?

  1. OL Steve Avila (knee): Week 7
  2. OL Jonah Jackson (shoulder): Week 8
  3. S John Johnson III (shoulder): Week 8
  4. CB Derion Kendrick (knee): Out for year
  5. OL Conor McDermott (undisclosed): Week 5
  6. WR Puka Nacua (knee): Week 7
  7. OL Joe Noteboom (ankle): Week 7
  8. CB Tre Tomlinson (undisclosed): Out for year
  9. CB Darious Williams (hamstring): Week 5
  10. OL KT Leveston (ankle): Week 5
  11. DT Larrell Murchison (arm): Week 5

Charts show how bad Rams’ pass protection has been compared to rest of NFL

Analytics show the Rams’ pass protection has been miles worse than every other team in the NFL

Matthew Stafford enjoyed good protection from his offensive line last season but he’s taken a beating in the first two weeks of the 2024 campaign. With Steve Avila, Rob Havenstein, Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom all missing time already, Stafford has been under heavy pressure when dropping back to pass.

It’s not surprising given the constant shuffling up front, but something has to improve before Stafford joins his teammates on injured reserve from the litany of hits he’s been taking.

ESPN and Pro Football Focus’ analytics can give us an idea of just how bad the Rams’ pass protection has been through two games and it’s clear they’ve been the league’s worst in that department. Based on the chart below, they’re in a class of their own – and not in a good way.

PFF’s grading has clearly been harsher on the Rams than ESPN’s pass-blocking win rate metric, but the point still stands: LA has been horrendous at protecting its quarterback.

Another chart using PFF’s pass-blocking grades on true pass sets (excluding play-action, screens and quick passes) shows the Rams are by far the worst in the league with a score of 39. The next-closest team is the Dolphins at 47, while the Colts are No. 1 with a grade of 80.

The good news is that Alaric Jackson will return from his suspension this week, taking over at left tackle for Warren McClendon Jr. That was by far the Rams’ weakest spot in the first two weeks so hopefully Jackson’s return will help.

On the flip side, Jonah Jackson will miss at least four games with a shoulder injury so the Rams’ guard play could take a hit.

Recapping Rams’ unbelievably long list of injuries after only 2 games

The Rams’ injuries are piling up and it’s only Week 3. Here’s an updated list of every Rams injury through two games.

No team in the NFL has dealt with more injuries this season than the Los Angeles Rams. In fact, it’s hard to remember a team being this banged up after only two games – especially a team that rested its starters in the preseason to avoid any potential injuries before Week 1.

The Rams have just had bad luck on this front through the first two games of the season, losing several key players to injuries. And it’s not as if they’re all bumps and bruises that cause players to miss one or two games. Most of their injuries have required guys to go on injured reserve and miss at least four games.

Cooper Kupp, John Johnson III and Jonah Jackson are the latest players who are likely headed to IR after getting hurt in Week 2, joining the likes of Puka Nacua, Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom. Here’s a recap of all the injuries suffered by the Rams before the season and since Week 1.

Beware, the list is lengthy.

Injuries suffered since Week 1

WR Cooper Kupp (ankle): Kupp is likely headed to IR after spraining his ankle in Week 2.

S John Johnson III (shoulder): Johnson suffered a hairline fracture in his scapula and will miss 4-6 weeks.

LG Jonah Jackson (shoulder): Jackson suffered the same injury to his scapula that he had in the summer and will likely go on IR.

WR Puka Nacua (knee): Nacua also aggravated an injury from training camp, suffering a PCL sprain that landed him on IR.

OL Steve Avila (knee): Avila was placed on IR after spraining his MCL in the season opener.

OL Joe Noteboom (ankle): Noteboom injured his ankle in Week 1 and was placed on IR with Nacua and Avila.

TE Davis Allen (back): Allen was ruled out for Week 2 after injuring his back. It’s unclear if he’ll miss more time.

K Joshua Karty (groin): McVay said Karty is dealing with a groin injury but he’s expected to be OK, fortunately.

Injuries suffered before Week 1

CB Darious Williams (hamstring): Williams was expected to return from his hamstring injury for Week 1 but he suffered a setback and was placed on IR.

DL Larrell Murchison (arm): Murchison injured his arm in the preseason and has been on IR since, but he was one of two players designated to return.

OL KT Leveston (ankle): Leveston landed on IR before the start of the season but he’s also someone who was designated to return.

CB Tre Tomlinson (undisclosed): Tomlinson was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury before final cuts and he will not return this season.

CB Derion Kendrick (ACL): Kendrick tore his ACL in the first practice of camp and has been ruled out for the season.

OL Conor McDermott (undisclosed): McDermott was placed on injured reserve just before Week and will miss at least the first four games of the season.

TE Tyler Higbee (ACL/MCL): Higbee tore his ACL and MCL in last year’s playoff game and has been on the PUP list with no timeline to return.

Rams OL Steve Avila had knee surgery, on track to return in November

Rams guard Steve Avila underwent surgery on his knee this week and is on track to return in November

After playing every offensive snap last season, Steve Avila will miss significant time in Year 2. He suffered a sprained MCL in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games.

Sean McVay provided an update on Avila Friday, telling reporters that the second-year lineman underwent surgery on his knee to repair the MCL. It was an expected procedure, one the Rams believe “accelerates the healing.”

Surgery is obviously never ideal for any player but it sounds like this was the plan all along for the Rams and Avila after he went down in the opener on Sunday.

As for Avila’s timetable for return, it remains unclear. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said Friday that Avila is “looking at being back on the field in November, ready for the stretch run.

“In November” is a pretty vague timeline, but if accurate, it means Avila will miss at least the next six games. Their first game in November is on the 3rd, a road contest against the Seahawks.

While Avila is out, Beaux Limmer will start at center with Jonah Jackson at left guard. Limmer filled in at center against the Lions after Avila got hurt and played well, impressing McVay in the process.

Rams place Puka Nacua, Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom on IR

The Rams placed Steve Avila, Puka Nacua and Joe Noteboom on injured reserve and signed three players to take their place

The Los Angeles Rams took some serious hits on the injury front in Week 1, losing three starters in the overtime loss. Steve Avila, Puka Nacua and Joe Noteboom all suffered injuries and were unable to return to the game, and they’ll now be out for several weeks.

The Rams announced on Wednesday that all three players have been placed on injured reserve. They’ll be forced to miss at least four games as a result, so the earliest they can return to game action is in Week 7 after the team’s Week 6 bye.

In addition to those three roster moves, the Rams also signed offensive linemen Geron Christian and Dylan McMahon to the active roster. Ahkello Witherspoon was signed to the practice squad, as well.

That makes four total signings by the Rams in the last two days. The team signed Ty Nsekhe to the practice squad on Tuesday, adding even more depth to the offensive line with Noteboom and Rob Havenstein banged up.

The good news is that Alaric Jackson is eligible to return from his suspension in Week 3, so he’ll reclaim his starting role at left tackle when the Rams host the 49ers that week.

Steve Avila tried to play through knee injury before Rams ‘had to yank him’

Steve Avila desperately wanted to play through his knee injury but the Rams’ trainers had to pull him out of the game

Steve Avila may have gone to the Matthew Stafford School of Toughness because he desperately wanted to play through his knee injury on Sunday night. Avila sprained his MCL in the first half but it wasn’t until the third quarter that he was ruled out.

That’s because he tried to keep playing into the second half, much to the chagrin of the team’s training staff.

Sean McVay said Monday that Avila finished the first half and at halftime, he was told the second-year guard would be out a few weeks. Yet, on the first play of the second half, Avila was on the field – a complete surprise to McVay. Avila had to be pulled out of the game despite his desire to stay out there.

“Yeah, he did play through the half and then they tell me he’s going to be out for a handful of weeks and then the first play of the second half, he’s out there,” McVay said. “We had to yank him out. It’s a credit to how much he wants to be out there so I think that’s a positive problem but definitely got [VP of Sports Medicine and Performance] Reggie Scott worked up, but it shows you how tough Steve is.”

Avila is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, so it’s not exactly a minor injury that he attempted to play through. The Rams were smart to save him from himself by pulling him out, preventing any further damage to the guard’s knee.

Until Avila can return, Beaux Limmer will step in at center and Jonah Jackson will slide back to guard, just as he did on Sunday night after Avila went down.

The latest on every Rams injury heading into Week 2

The Rams are dealing with a boatload of injuries right now. Here’s the latest on every player heading into Week 2.

The Los Angeles Rams’ list of injuries after just one game is starting to resemble what some teams’ injury reports look like in Week 12. They’re incredibly banged up entering their second week of the regular season after losing Puka Nacua, Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom in Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions.

They weren’t the only players to get hurt, either. Their injuries are just the most significant and will sideline them multiple weeks.

With so many injuries to track, below is the latest on each player Sean McVay referenced in his press conference on Monday. There could be other nicks and bruises but as of now, these are the most notable injuries entering Week 2.

OL Steve Avila (sprained MCL): Out 4-6 weeks

Avila is likely going to be placed on injured reserve, which will force him to miss at least the next four games. Jordan Schultz reported Monday that Avila is expected to be out 4-6 weeks, so the Rams could be looking at a Week 7 or 8 return for their starting left guard. In his place, Beaux Limmer will play center and Jonah Jackson will move back to left guard.

WR Puka Nacua (knee): Going on IR, out at least 4 weeks

Sean McVay said Monday that Nacua will go on injured reserve. He didn’t specify how long the receiver will be out, but he did say he aggravated the knee injury that kept him out three weeks in training camp and that it’s “a little bit more significant than what was previously the situation.”

RG Kevin Dotson (ankle): Day-to-day

Dotson suffered a “little lateral sprain to his ankle” in Sunday’s loss to the Lions, but McVay said he’ll be considered day-to-day. When asked if Logan Bruss will fill in at right guard, McVay said he’s “hopeful that that ‘K-Dot’ is going to be good.”

OL Joe Noteboom (high ankle sprain): Out a few weeks

Noteboom sprained his ankle against the Lions and had to be carted to the locker room. McVay said it’s a high ankle sprain, which is the worst type of sprain, and he’ll miss a few weeks. McVay isn’t sure who will play left tackle in his absence this week; Alaric Jackson returns from his suspension in Week 3.

CB Cobie Durant (toe): Day-to-day

Durant only missed a handful of plays on Sunday but McVay revealed that he injured his toe in the loss. “He’ll kind of be day-to-day,” per McVay. It sounds like there’s a chance he’ll be able to play this weekend against the Cardinals, which is encouraging because the Rams are thin at cornerback.

RT Rob Havenstein (ankle): Day-to-day

McVay isn’t sure if Havenstein will be able to return from his ankle injury this week against the Cardinals, saying the Rams will take it “a day at a time” with him. Havenstein was questionable for Week 1 but was inactive for the game.

Report: Steve Avila could miss up to 6 weeks with MCL sprain

Steve Avila is expected to go on IR and miss 4-6 weeks with an MCL sprain

Steve Avila didn’t miss a single snap as a rookie last season but his 2024 campaign has gotten off to a frustrating and disappointing start. Avila injured his knee in the season opener against the Lions and was unable to return – despite his best efforts to play through the injury.

Sean McVay said he’s a candidate to go on injured reserve and on Tuesday, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz shared further clarity on the lineman’s timeline for return. Avila has a sprained MCL and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Ideally, Avila will miss the next four games and then return after the team’s Week 6 bye, which is certainly possible. But there’s no doubt they’re going to miss him no matter how long he’s out.

In his place, Beaux Limmer is expected to start at center with Jonah Jackson back at left guard.

https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1833510632492302582

Seahawks rival LA Rams to place 2 crucial offensive starters on IR

Seahawks rival LA Rams to place 2 crucial offensive starters on IR

The Seattle Seahawks (1-0) are tied for first place in the NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers (1-0), who defeated the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. The Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals are sharing the basement at 0-1 apiece. The Rams received more bad news following their Week 1 defeat. Wide receiver Puka Nacua and center Steve Avila suffered multi-week injuries that are expected to land both offensive starters on IR.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1833253101614338191

In two games versus the Seahawks last season, Nacua recorded 15 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown, including a 10-catch performance in Week 1. The former BYU standout would eventually shatter the NFL’s single-season rookie receiving yards (1,486) and receptions (105) record. It’s worth acknowledging Nacua won’t miss any games against Seattle if he misses just the minimum four required games on IR. The Seahawks aren’t scheduled to play the Rams until Week 9.

Avila suffered a sprained MCL in Sunday night’s loss to the Detroit Lions, per Jordan Schultz. Avila’s timeline is estimated at four-to-six weeks. He’ll miss a bunch of crucial games as one of the Rams’ better offensive lineman, but should return to Sean McVay’s lineup before the Seahawks play them in Week 9.

The Rams are already trailing the Seahawks for the division lead in the NFC West. These two setbacks won’t help their early-season outlook. The Seahawks need to take advantage by creating some distance between themselves and one of their rivals.

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Rams will place Puka Nacua on IR, Steve Avila is also an IR candidate

Sean McVay provided an update on both Puka Nacua and Steve Avila, who each suffered knee injuries on Sunday night

Puka Nacua and Steve Avila both suffered knee injuries in the first half of Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Lions and were unable to return. Sean McVay didn’t have an update after the game but he met with reporters Monday to provide further clarity.

The Rams coach said Nacua sprained his PCL and is a candidate to be placed on injured reserve. That would force him to miss the next four games, making Week 7 the earliest he could return; the Rams have a Week 6 bye.

Additionally, Avila’s knee injury is severe enough that he’s also a candidate to go on injured reserve. Reports Monday indicated Avila suffered a sprained MCL, the same injury Jordan Love suffered for the Packers.

Later on during his press conference, McVay clarified that Nacua will in fact go on injured reserve, so he’ll miss the next four games.

McVay added that the Rams will look to bring in offensive line help with Joe Noteboom injured (ankle) and Kevin Dotson dealing with a foot injury, as well.