It’s been a rough start to the 2024 NFL season for the Los Angeles Rams. Two weeks in, and the team is already facing a daunting 0-2 record. The latest struggles were highlighted in their recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals, a game where quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 216 yards but suffered five sacks and lost a fumble. The offensive line issues are glaring, and Head Coach Sean McVay is acutely aware of the problems. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," McVay said.
Injury Woes Mount
The Rams are severely hampered by injuries to key players. Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is sidelined indefinitely with a left ankle sprain, an ailment reminiscent of the injury he sustained in 2022 that ended his season. Adding to the woes, guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III are both nursing shoulder injuries. The injury list doesn’t end there; the trio of Kupp, Jackson, and Johnson are all candidates for the injured reserve list, exacerbating an already challenging situation. McVay noted the strain this is putting on the team: "We're kind of running out of those [injured reserve] spots and we're only into Week 3 in terms of the return to play, but that is a possibility for all of those guys."
Defensive Struggles
On the defensive side, the difficulties are compounded by the retirement of All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The void left by Donald's departure has forced the team to rely heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in the 2024 draft. The Rams' inexperienced defense is also without cornerbacks Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick, both on injured reserve. This confluence of factors is testing the resilience and depth of the Rams’ roster.
Offensive Line Troubles
Once a strength of the team, the offensive line is now a major concern. Stafford’s average time to throw in Week 2 was 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league for that week, indicating a lack of protection. The offensive line's instability has prevented the offense from gaining any real momentum. This threadbare protection is particularly concerning given Stafford’s history; he missed the latter half of the 2022 season due to a spinal cord contusion and concussion, further highlighting the risks of his current exposure.
A Tale of Two Seasons
The narrative of the Rams' injury struggles tells an interesting story when viewed in the context of recent seasons. Last season, the Rams had the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury on defense and the fourth-fewest on offense. Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports called this “an incredible shift” compared to 2022, where they had the second-most adjusted games lost. "It went from 146.6 AGL in 2022 to 26.4 last season, which is an incredible shift and shows how injury luck often has no rhyme or reason," Schwab observed. This stark contrast underscores how unpredictable and impactful injuries can be in the NFL.
Draft Picks and Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the Rams hold significant draft capital for the 2025 draft, including their first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks, as well as additional sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. This wealth of draft picks may provide a glimmer of hope for a team seeking to rebuild and retool following a challenging start to the season.
No NFL team starting a year 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl, a daunting statistic the Rams will need to consider as they attempt to salvage their season. The road ahead may be arduous, but the Rams’ ability to manage their roster amid a tide of injuries could determine whether they can turn their fortunes around.
The Los Angeles Rams’ start to the 2024 season has been nothing short of tumultuous. With key players sidelined and the offensive and defensive units both struggling, the team faces an uphill battle to remain competitive. Yet, with strategic management and a focus on capitalizing on future draft opportunities, the Rams still have avenues to explore as they navigate the challenges of this early season.