Two weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves in an unenviable position with a 0-2 record. The early struggles are compounded by significant injury woes and underperformance on both sides of the ball, casting a shadow over what was hoped to be a rebounding season.
Key Injuries Plague Rams' Roster
The Rams have been hit hard by the injury bug. Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is set to miss extended time due to a left ankle sprain. This is a troubling recurrence of the same injury that sidelined him in 2022 and necessitated season-ending surgery. The team is also grappling with injuries to guard Jonah Jackson and safety John Johnson III, both nursing shoulder issues. Head coach Sean McVay indicated that all three players are candidates for injured reserve, noting, "We're kind of running out of those 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."
The Rams' offensive line has been a weak point, a concern vividly highlighted by McVay. "The amount of moving parts that we've had offensive line-wise has been wild," he explained. In their recent loss to the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked five times and lost a fumble, a testament to the struggles up front. Stafford's 216 passing yards were not enough to stave off the defeat, and his average time to throw of 3.25 seconds was the fifth-longest in the league for Week 2, underscoring the offensive line's difficulties.
Offensive and Defensive Woes
Stafford's current complications are reminiscent of his 2022 season, which he missed the latter half of due to a spinal cord contusion and concussion. The echoes of past ailments are troubling for a team desperately seeking consistency and resilience under center.
On the defensive side, the absence of retired stalwart Aaron Donald has left a significant void. The once-mighty defensive front now leans heavily on rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, the Rams' first and second-round picks in 2024. The situation is further exacerbated by injuries to key corners Darious Williams and Derion Kendrick, both of whom are on injured reserve.
Reflecting on Injury Luck
Last season, the Rams enjoyed remarkable health, recording the fewest adjusted games lost to injury in the NFL. It was a significant departure from their 2022 season, in which they had the second-most injuries in the league. "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," observed NFL analyst Frank Schwab. This drastic change in injury fortune underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and highlights why injuries are a legitimate concern for any team.
"The Rams' good fortune last season included the fourth-fewest injuries on offense and the fewest on defense," Schwab continued, noting that the pendulum of injury luck appears to have swung back against the Rams in 2024. The early season hardships are a cause for concern and may account for the regression many analysts feared.
Looking Toward the Future
An ominous historical precedent looms over the Rams' 0-2 start: no NFL team starting 0-3 has ever won a Super Bowl. Yet, the Rams' future is not without hope. They retain their own first, third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for the 2025 draft, in addition to extra sixth-round selections from the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Houston Texans. These assets could prove vital in rebuilding and strengthening the roster moving forward.
The next few weeks will be crucial for the Rams as they grapple with injuries and attempt to find their footing. McVay's focus on the offensive line’s stability will be key, as will the ability of rookies and backups to step up and fill the gaps left by injured stars. Rams fans can only hope that the team’s early season struggles are mere growing pains and not indicative of a season-long trend.