Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in a precarious position with an 0-2 record. The team’s struggles are compounded by a series of injuries that could significantly impact their season's trajectory.
Injury Woes
Among the most notable absences is wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who will be sidelined for an extended period due to a left ankle sprain. This is not Kupp's first time dealing with such an injury; he suffered a similar affliction in 2022 that necessitated season-ending surgery. The Rams have also been hit hard on both sides of the ball, with guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III nursing shoulder injuries. All three players are candidates for the injured reserve list, further depleting the team's roster.
Head coach Sean McVay has voiced his concerns about the team's injury situation. “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,” McVay said. The repeated setbacks on the offensive line have led McVay to describe the situation as "wild," noting the high volume of moving parts they’ve had to manage.
Offensive Struggles
The offensive line’s instability has had tangible effects on the field. Quarterback Matthew Stafford managed to throw for 216 yards during their loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but he was also sacked five times and lost a fumble. In Week 2, Stafford’s average time to throw extended to 3.25 seconds, the fifth-longest in the league, highlighting the line's inability to provide adequate protection.
Compounding these current injuries is Stafford’s history with health issues. He missed the latter part of the 2022 season with a spinal cord contusion and concussion, injuries that underscore the urgency of keeping him protected. The offensive line's instability spells trouble for a quarterback with such a history of serious injuries.
Defensive Setbacks
The Rams' defense has also seen significant changes. Most notably, Aaron Donald’s retirement has left a glaring void in the defensive front seven. The team is now relying heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, their first and second-round picks in the 2024 draft. The secondary is also thin, with corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick currently on injured reserve.
While the Rams' defense was one of the healthiest units last season—boasting the fewest adjusted games lost due to injury—this year has been a stark contrast. As Frank Schwab pointed out, “One tangible reason to worry about Rams regression is their injury luck last season,” highlighting how injury fortunes can be unpredictable. The team went from dealing with numerous injuries in 2022, finishing second in adjusted games lost, to experiencing relatively few injuries last year.
Looking Forward
The Rams’ current predicament is further complicated by their draft situation. They hold their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft, along with additional sixth-round picks from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. How they navigate through this difficult stretch will likely influence their draft strategy and priorities.
History does not favor teams that start the year 0-3, as no NFL team with such a start has ever won a Super Bowl. With the Rams’ good fortune from last season now just a distant memory, they'll need to find resilience and adaptability within their roster to turn the tide of their 2024 campaign.
The clock is ticking for McVay and the Rams. Navigating the dual challenges of injuries and early losses will be vital if they are to salvage anything from this season. Whether they can recapture the form that saw them through healthier times remains to be seen, but it’s clear that every game from here on out carries significant weight for the beleaguered franchise.