The common narrative that surrounds every NFL team heading into and out of a bye week is the ability to rest up. To get guys healthy and head into the meat of their NFL back end schedule with the full complement of their roster.
The Los Angeles Rams’ bye week in the 2016 season has reinforced that with a very positive final injury report heading into Sunday’s Week 9 battle with the Carolina Panthers:
Los Angeles Rams |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | POS | Injury | Wed. Status | Thu. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
Michael Brockers | DT | Groin | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
Jamon Brown | G | Hand | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
Trumaine Johnson | CB | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
William Hayes | DE | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Limited | Questionable |
Nelson Spruce | WR | Calf | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
The one major update from yesterday’s hypothetical report was DE William Hayes getting in some late week practice action. He, along with the other three limited participants, were all listed as “Questionable.”
This, of course, is one of those where you wish we still had the “Probable” designation which the league removed for this season. That would clarify the game readiness for Hayes, CB Trumaine Johnson, DT Michael Brockers and G Jamon Brown. Without it, we’re just going to have to wait until Sunday afternoon to find out if they are available.
The one Ram who clearly won’t be is WR Nelson Spruce. He picked up another injury at practice heading into the bye week.
Here’s Carolina’s game report:
Carolina Panthers |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | POS | Injury | Wed. Status | Thu. Status | Fri. Status | Game Status |
Kurt Coleman | S | Thumb | Full | Full | Full | N/A |
Charles Johnson | DE | Rest | DNP | Full | Full | N/A |
Robert McClain | CB | Groin | DNP | Full | Full | N/A |
James Bradberry | CB | Foot | Limited | Full | Full | N/A |
Jonathan Stewart | RB | Rest | DNP | DNP | Full | N/A |
Mario Addison | DE | Groin | - | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
Luke Kuechly | LB | Groin | - | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
Daryl Worley | CB | Elbow | Limited | DNP | Limited | Questionable |
Ryan Kalil | C | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
Vernon Butler | DT | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Michael Oher | T | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Shaq Thompson | LB | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Carolina just does their report differently. Without the probable designation, they just don’t even assign a game status to the guys who are going to play, including S Kurt Coleman who was a full participant in practice which stretches the use of the term “injury.”
And of the four Panthers listed as “Questionable,” three weren’t even able to practice today including MLB Luke Kuechly.
Here’s what Cat Scratch Reader had to say:
The offensive line is going to once again have to make do without Michael Oher as he’s still out with a concussion. Ryan Kalil could miss Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury but is currently listed as questionable. While Jonathan Stewart is listed on the injury report, he was given days off during the week for rest so he should (read: hopefully) be in the lineup on Sunday.
On defense, Mario Addison is questionable with a groin injury, Vernon Butler is still out with an ankle sprain, Shaq Thompson will miss the game after hurting his knee last week and Luke Kuechly is listed as questionable with a groin injury. Kuechly and Addison are expected to play, and A.J. Klein is expected to replace Thompson in the starting lineup.
On the bright side, James Bradberry will be back in action, however it’s not known at this time just how much action he will see. I’d expect him to get plenty of playing time, though, with Robert McClain and Daryl Worley both listed on the injury report as questionable. I expect to see heavy rotation in the secondary to keep everyone fresh, and hopefully that’s a good enough strategy to keep the Rams’ offense at bay.
The list of the seven Rams selected to be inactive will be released about an hour prior to kickoff on Sunday. We’ll have them posted here at TST as soon as we get them.