Nov 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske (55) celebrates following a sack against Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Rams DL Braden Fiske to have knee procedure

Los Angeles Rams rookie defensive lineman Braden Fiske will have surgery to repair a knee injury sustained in Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed Thursday that Fiske was injured in the season-ending 28-22 divisional playoff loss at Philadelphia.

Fiske’s recovery from the procedure is not expected to affect his availability for next season, McVay said.

Fiske, who turned 25 last weekend, was named a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors on Thursday.

The 2024 second-round pick led the Rams and all NFL rookies with 8.5 sacks and finished with 44 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 17 games (eight starts). He added 1.5 sacks in two playoff games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Rams OT Rob Havenstein slowed with shoulder injury

After opening the week with a perfectly clean injury report, Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein is dealing with a shoulder injury that occurred in practice, putting his status up in the air in advance of Saturday’s home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Rams (9-6), who are on a four-game winning streak that moved them into the lead in the NFC West, have rebounded from a 1-4 start. That poor early stretch was due, in part, to injuries on the offensive line.

Havenstein missed the season opener against the Detroit Lions with an ankle injury, then missed a three-game stretch in November with more ankle issues.

Havenstein did not practice Thursday because of the shoulder injury, although he typically does not participate in the final practice of the week for rest purposes. The 32-year-old is in his 10th NFL season, all with the Rams going back to the team’s 2015 season in St. Louis.

Joe Noteboom would likely start if Havenstein is not available Saturday.

The Rams can clinch the NFC West this weekend with a victory over the Cardinals (7-8), combined with a loss or tie by the Seattle Seahawks (8-7) against the Chicago Bears (4-11).

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (15) catches a game-winning touchdown pass against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during overtime at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Rams will not suspend Demarcus Robinson after DUI arrest

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday the team would not suspend Demarcus Robinson two days after the wide receiver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

McVay said the organization decided to “let the legal process take place” for Robinson, who was pulled over hours after the Rams’ 37-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.

The arresting officers said Robinson, 30, was driving more than 100 mph on a freeway in Los Angeles and saw “objective signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment.”

“He understands the severity of this and how lucky we were that nobody was injured,” McVay said. “I did appreciate his ability to acknowledge it to the team, while also not minimizing … the severity of what could have been.”

The Rams are scheduled to play the New Orleans Saints on the road Sunday.

“It’s a bad look,” Robinson said. “I don’t want to bring that type of light or any type of negative energy toward the team. So things like that (are) not … in my nature or stuff that I usually do. So I just told (McVay) I sincerely apologize to him and the team and this whole organization for even putting myself and the organization in a predicament like that.”

Robinson, who is in his second season with the Rams, has 26 catches for 384 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 2024.

Robinson is in his ninth season in the NFL and has played for the Kansas City Chiefs (2016-2021), Baltimore Ravens (2022) and the Rams. He has played in 141 games (62 starts) and has 245 receptions for 2,892 yards and 26 touchdowns in his career.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

49ers look to jump-start offense vs. struggling Rams

After their offense went stagnant in Week 2 without one of their star performers, the San Francisco 49ers will look to recover Sunday when they visit their home away from home.

After a 23-17 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers (1-1) technically will stay on the road when they play the Los Angeles Rams at Inglewood, Calif. But the Rams’ home has been clad in plenty of red during recent seasons when San Francisco makes its annual visit.

San Francisco has won at Los Angeles in each of the past five seasons, although they lost on the Rams’ home turf in the 2022 NFC Championship Game. San Francisco had a nine-game winning streak against Los Angeles until the regular-season finale last season when the Rams won 21-20 as both teams rested starters in advance of the playoffs.

San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey did not play in the final meeting last season and won’t be available for this one either while on injured reserve with a calf strain. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is doubtful with his own calf issue and likely will miss the next two games.

Without two huge weapons on offense, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and his NFL-best 550 yards passing through two games take center stage. His 72.3 completion percentage is eighth in the league, but he has just one touchdown pass.

“We’ve got the players. We’ve got the scheme. We’ve got what it takes,” Purdy said. “It’s dropping back and executing, knowing where my answers are and getting the balls in the guys’ hands, drop-stepping and getting first down. It’s football, man.”

Purdy threw his first interception Sunday after he had 11 last season, while earning Pro Bowl honors. He also lost a fumble, while the 49ers had a punt blocked.

“It was too sloppy on our part,” San Francisco head coach Mike Shanahan said. “… It was disappointing.”

The Rams (0-2) are dealing with their own injury issues. Wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is expected to miss extended time.

The Rams also have holes on the offensive line: Jonah Jackson (shoulder), Steve Avila (knee) and Joe Noteboom (ankle) are on IR. Even rookie kicker Joshua Karty (groin) is ailing.

Behind a makeshift line last week, even veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford looked rattled, and understandably so, as Los Angeles was never competitive in a 41-10 loss on the road to the Arizona Cardinals. Tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) returned in Week 2 and tackle Alaric Jackson (suspension) is set to come back Sunday.

“The amount of moving parts that we’ve had offensive line-wise has been wild, and that’s such an important spot to be able to get a rapport with the guy that you’re playing next to,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “It starts with me, putting guys in better spots.”

On defense, the Rams already were up against it after the retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The revamped group has struggled to an NFL-worst 426 yards allowed per game.

“It’s definitely a little different,” Shanahan said about not having to account for Donald. “That’s been 99 percent of our brain power for a number of years and it’s kind of weird just not thinking that way.”

Against the run, Los Angeles has allowed 197 yards per game, third worst in the NFL. The Rams recently placed safety John Johnson II (shoulder) on IR.

“Trust the process,” Stafford said. “… You can’t think about this scenario, that scenario, whatever it is. Just continue to work. We’ll have next-man-up mentality in some spots, get some people back as well and it’ll be a fun challenge for us.”

In addition to Kupp and Karty not participating in practice for the Rams on Wednesday, tight end Davis Allen (back) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe) also were out.

Samuel was the only member of the 49ers who did not practice. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is approaching his season debut after ACL surgery in November.

–Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scores a touchdown against Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Rams eager to extend road dominance vs. Cardinals

The Los Angeles Rams will stay on the road in Week 2 on Sunday, although a visit to the Arizona Cardinals will feel extremely comfortable.

The Rams will carry a nine-game road winning streak against the Cardinals into the game at Glendale, Ariz., where both teams will try to rebound from season-opening defeats.

The Rams (0-1) played a bruising yet competitive season opener on the road against the Detroit Lions on Sunday night and rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to take the game into overtime. The Lions won 26-20 when they scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the extra period.

The Rams not only lost wide receiver Puka Nacua to a knee injury, but the already thin offensive line saw both Joe Noteboom (ankle) and Steve Avila (knee) depart. All three were placed on injured reserve this week.

Behind a makeshift line, quarterback Matthew Stafford rallied the Rams in the second half to a 20-20 tie.

Los Angeles even had the ball with just over four minutes remaining and a chance to pad a 20-17 lead, but Stafford and star receiver Cooper Kupp had a miscommunication on fourth down. Detroit sent the game into OT with a field goal in the closing seconds.

“I had a chance to win it,” Stafford said.

Plenty of questions surrounded the Rams after the retirement of defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the offseason.

“We’re a really young team, and we had a lot of things that went our way and didn’t go our way tonight,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “When you come up short, this is a real learning opportunity, growth op for us. I know that this group is going to respond the right way.”

On Wednesday, Los Angeles practiced without tight end Davis Allen (back), offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (foot) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe). Offensive lineman Rob Havenstein (foot) and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (hip) were limited.

Though the Cardinals have not defeated the Rams at home since 2014, when their opponent called St. Louis home, they have won in Los Angeles twice in the past four seasons. The Rams are still 13-2 against their division rival, counting playoffs, since 2017.

The Cardinals (0-1) also feel optimistic about the road ahead after a competitive 34-28 defeat to open the season in Buffalo. Arizona led 17-3 late in the first half and were within 31-28 with 8:31 remaining but gained just 26 total yards over their final two possessions.

The Cardinals offense was anything but lackluster in the early going as quarterback Kyler Murray made his return from knee surgery. Murray guided the Cardinals to points on each of their first three drives.

Murray was 21-of-31 passing for 162 yards, with a team-high 57 rushing yards, but he also fumbled deep in his own territory in the third quarter with the score tied 17-all. Five plays later, the Bills scored a touchdown and never trailed again.

“You watch it (against the Bills), probably be frustrated, but the season’s not over,” Murray said. “Been doing this a while now. (Sunday) we have a divisional opponent. The next one is the most important.”

Murray (knee) appeared on the injury report Wednesday but was a full practice participant. Cornerback Max Melton (concussion) was out and wide receiver Xavier Weaver (oblique) was limited. Starting right tackle Jonah Williams (knee) was placed on IR.

The Cardinals intend to make rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. a bigger part of the offense moving forward. The No. 4 overall selection in this year’s draft was targeted just three times and had one catch for 4 yards.

“We’ll find a way to get him involved,” Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said.

Arizona’s DeeJay Dallas made the NFL’s new “dynamic kickoff” look the part with a 96-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Steve Avila (73) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Report: Rams starting LG Steve Avila has MCL sprain

Los Angeles Rams starting left guard Steve Avila is dealing with an MCL sprain, NFL Network reported Monday.

Avila left Sunday night’s overtime loss at Detroit with a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return.

Avila, 24, will have an MRI and further testing Monday to determine the severity of the injury, per the report.

He has started all 18 games since Los Angeles drafted him in the second round in 2023.

The Rams shifted Jonah Jackson to left guard and inserted rookie Beaux Limmer at center after Avila departed during the 26-20 loss to the Lions.

–Field Level Media

May 21, 2024, Thousand Oaks, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive back Darious Williams (24) wears a Guardian helmet cap during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Rams place veteran CB Darious Williams (hamstring) on IR

The Los Angeles Rams placed starting cornerback Darious Williams on injured reserve Thursday due to a hamstring strain and he will miss at least the first four games of the season.

Williams was injured in the second practice of training camp and was mostly sidelined until Wednesday, when he was a limited participant. Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Williams was making progress and last week said the cornerback was expected to be ready for the season opener on Sunday at the Detroit Lions.

The Rams signed Williams, 31, as a free agent to a three-year contract in March after his release by the Jacksonville Jaguars in a cost-cutting move.

He was with the Rams from 2018-21, including the Super Bowl LVI team in February 2022, and joined Jacksonville in free agency on a three-year, $30 million contract one month later.

Williams had 53 tackles and four interceptions in 17 starts last season and has 236 tackles with 10 picks in 80 career games (55 starts).

The Rams listed Williams and veteran Tre’Davious White, another free-agent signing, as starters at cornerback, while reserve Cobie Durant also was limited at practice this week because of a hamstring injury. Undrafted rookies Josh Wallace and Charles Woods are the other reserves.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (77) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Rams OT Alaric Jackson (conduct) suspended 2 games

Los Angeles Rams starting left tackle Alaric Jackson received a two-game suspension without pay Friday for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the team announced.

Jackson will sit out the Rams’ season opener at the Detroit Lions and the team’s Week 2 game at the Arizona Cardinals. He can return when Los Angeles hosts the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 22.

The Rams did not provide further information on Jackson’s suspension.

Jackson, 26, made 15 starts at left tackle for Los Angeles last year in his third NFL season.

Joe Noteboom is expected to fill in for Jackson. Noteboom, 29, had lost his starting job to Jackson after signing a three-year, $40 million deal with the Rams in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Aug 1, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA;  Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) stands on a sideline during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford has full practice with cut left thumb

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has dealt with a hamstring issue at training camp, had a full practice on Thursday with his left thumb bandaged.

“I cut it at my house, like a normal human being, and I protected it for a little bit,” Stafford told reporters without further details after the joint practice with the Houston Texans.

Stafford, 36, said his progression from the hamstring tightness, which led to his removal from practice last week and limited participation this week, has been “all in all, pretty good.”

“It was a full day for him,” Rams coach Sean McVay said after practice. “It was good. We prefer him not to have to hand off backwards on a couple of those. But because of the progression, he wanted to get the work in, and I thought really (the Texans’) overall etiquette in terms of staying away from him was really good. And I was pleased with the way that our line competed.”

McVay also said that running back Boston Scott was held out of practice because of a leg contusion but he is expected to have a heavy workload on Saturday when the Rams visit the Texans in their final preseason game.

Stafford was named to the second Pro Bowl of his career last season when he completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 3,965 yards and 24 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

The Rams went 10-7 in 2023 before losing in the wild-card round of the playoffs 24-23 on the road to the Detroit Lions. Stafford was 25 of 36 for 367 yards and two touchdowns against his former team.

The Rams are scheduled to return to Detroit for their Sept. 8 season opener against the Lions in a Sunday Night Football contest.

–Field Level Media