Rams injuries from Week 1 impact game against Cardinals

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four of the Los Angeles Rams' top six offensive linemen were injured or unavailable before halftime of their season-opening game in Detroit.

Record receiver Puka Nacua also had to sit out the first half due to another knee injury. He has been placed on the injured list.

The fact that Los Angeles still managed to force Detroit into overtime before losing 26-20 is impressive.

The fact that the Rams are so terribly banged up after just one game is anything but encouraging – even against an Arizona Cardinals opponent in Week 2 that had doubts about its effectiveness in attacking the passer earlier in the season.

The Rams are winless entering Week 2 for only the second time in coach Sean McVay's career after making just enough mistakes to lose at Ford Field despite a thrilling second-half comeback that ended with them scoring 17 straight points.

When they travel to Arizona this weekend, they will likely be shorthanded anyway and hope they can stay afloat long enough to get healthy again.

“We're not going to sulk. We're not going to say, 'Why … me?'” McVay said Monday. “You're not going to see any pity from me. There's going to be no excuses for me not to go in the right direction, but we've been down this road before and we're not going to do that again.”

McVay will undoubtedly reflect on the worst season of his NFL career and also the only losing season during his tenure with the Rams. Los Angeles was plagued by injuries in 2022 during the worst season by a reigning Super Bowl champion in NFL history (5-12), but McVay emerged from the experience more determined than before to lead the Rams to long-term success.

However, it will be difficult for the Rams if they do not have their starting offensive line.

McVay said left guard Steve Avila will likely end up on the injured list with a strained knee ligament, while swing tackle Joe Noteboom will be out for at least a couple of weeks after suffering an ankle sprain. Right guard Kevin Dotson also sprained his ankle but continued to play despite what McVay hopes is not a serious injury.

Los Angeles will be without suspended left tackle Alaric Jackson for another week, while right tackle Rob Havenstein missed the first week due to his persistent ankle injury.

Due to their many injuries, McVay and Matthew Stafford were severely limited. Nevertheless, they almost managed to pull off a surprise in Detroit.

“We didn't follow any of our game plan,” McVay said. “The guys played their best. There were a lot of moving parts. … I think we held up well, and now it's about how we move forward.”

What went well besides the Rams' injuries

The offense somehow remained productive. Stafford once again delivered a stellar performance, throwing for 317 yards. Cooper Kupp caught 14 passes, a career-best, while Tyler Johnson and rookie Colby Parkinson made several great catches. Kyren Williams even ran for 50 yards, although McVay understandably had no confidence in his offensive line's running ability.

What needs help

McVay acknowledged that the Rams need to sign new offensive players who may need to play right away. Practice squad player AJ Arcuri had to play left tackle with Jackson out and Noteboom injured. Arcuri's problems also included a holding penalty that took a Rams touchdown off the board. Good defenses will crave the chance to play against Los Angeles' thin line.

Stock up

Safety John Johnson only returned to the Rams' revamped secondary in July, but proved to be as indispensable as ever, intercepting a difficult pass in the fourth quarter and making a number of impressive tackles. Johnson and newcomer Kam Curl look to be a formidable duo at the back of LA's defense.

Inventory is decreasing

The Rams' defensive line got some life for the first time since Aaron Donald, and it was pretty bad. Detroit rushed for 163 yards, and the Rams only managed three tackles for loss – two of them on sacks by Byron Young and rookie Jared Verse. D-line starters Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown combined for just five tackles.

Injuries

CB Cobie Durant is “taking it day by day” after his toe injury, McVay said. The Rams are already without starting CB Darious Williams, who is on the injured list for at least three more games.

Key number

2 – Rams scored touchdowns on five red zone attempts. Stafford threw an interception in the end zone and Los Angeles had to settle for field goals twice – including on a fourth-quarter drive where Arcuri's holding penalty negated a touchdown.

Next Steps

The Cardinals are a team on the rise, and Los Angeles' first home game the following week is against powerhouse San Francisco. The Rams haven't started 0-2 or 0-3 in St. Louis since 2011 and are coming off a 2-14 season.

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