Rams looking at younger players to identify future of the team – Los Angeles Rams Blog

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With one other loss Sunday, this one to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles Rams fell to 3-8 on the season, which is tied for the worst 11-sport begin by a defending Super Bowl champion in the historical past of the league.

And whereas technically, the Rams might make the playoffs — profitable away and with lots of assist — realistically, Los Angeles has one other purpose for the relaxation of the season: determining who can play a big position going ahead. .

The Rams have gotten a very good look at this for a good portion of the season. Not by design, however as a result of of the quantity of accidents they’ve had to take care of. In Sunday’s 26-10 loss to the Chiefs, the Rams had been with out quarterback Matthew Stafford, vast receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II and each offensive participant at his Week 1 place besides proper deal with Rob Havenstein.

And whereas accidents have been a giant half of why this offense has struggled this season, the Rams have gotten to the level the place valuing the expertise they’re enjoying is one thing coach Sean McVay mentioned the team desires to “be aware of” ultimately . .

“And really, just as a result of the amount of injuries … it has to happen,” McVay mentioned. “You don’t have a choice. And so the guys will have some opportunities as you’ve seen each of the last two weeks. You are playing more offensive linemen than probably anyone ever in the history of this game. And you are getting a good rating.

“So that is the solely means you may look at it.”

While the Rams have dealt with injuries on both sides of the ball, it’s the offense that has taken the most hits. While Kupp and Robinson are both under long-term contracts, behind them are young wide receivers in the mix for more playing time. Along with wide receiver Van Jefferson, who the Rams targeted for a big role before he needed knee surgery during training camp, there’s a group of receivers who could finish the season strong and play themselves into bigger roles. following bigs: 2021 second-round pick Tutu Atwell, 2021 seventh-round pick Ben Skowronek, Brandon Powell and 2021 fourth-round pick Jacob Harris.

Jefferson, who missed the first six games after knee surgery during training camp, is in the third season of his four-year rookie contract. He said that for these final six games of the regular season, it’s all about getting on the field and playing the best you can.

“You simply need to go on the market and be the greatest you might be,” Jefferson said. “Whether it is exhibiting the coaches or simply proving it to your self. Just getting on the market and proving myself proper. Just know that I can go on the market and play and do the issues that I’m succesful of doing. And so it is nearly proving myself proper, and going on the market and simply enjoying and simply letting every thing else take care of the relaxation, ? And that is one thing I’m centered on.”

McVay and the Rams front office will also have a decision to make on the return. Cam Akers, who led the punters in rushing on Sunday, will enter the final year of his rookie contract next season. Akers missed two games earlier this season after the Rams tried to trade him. Los Angeles already waived Darrell Henderson Jr., who was in the final year of his contract, last week in an effort to give some of their younger players more playing time.

One of these younger backs is Kyren Williams, a fifth-spherical draft decide in 2022. Although he missed time with damage, the rookie has impressed this teaching workers since coming off injured reserve.

“I like the way this guy competes,” McVay mentioned. “I thought he did a good job. I think there will always be things we can learn from, but I think he has a great spirit. He has great competition. I thought I saw him do some good things without the ball. And then he did a good job of getting the ball in his hands to be able to create a little bit.”

The Rams rank 26th in rushing DVOA this season. Still, Williams said he doesn’t feel like he has to do anything special to prove himself to this coaching staff, but just “be who I’m day by day.”

“That’s what I attempt to try for myself: to be a constant man and the identical man that reveals up day by day,” Williams said. “And if I get extra alternatives, I get much less alternatives. It does not matter. The alternatives I get, I’ve to make the most of them.”