LA Rams-LA Chargers Inactives Leave Rams Thin At WR, OLB, ILB

The Los Angeles Rams knew they were going to be a bit thin tonight against the Los Angeles Chargers. With the inactives recently released, it’s thinner than anticipated.

The Rams yet again will leave a bunch of players sidelined:

• WR Tavon Austin
• ILB Mark Barron
• OLB Connor Barwin
• DT Michael Brockers
• RB Todd Gurley
• WR Cooper Kupp
• ILB Alec Ogletree
• OLB Robert Quinn
• CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
• WR Nelson Spruce
• WR Mike Thomas

On offense, it’s the four wideouts. Tavon, Kupp, Spruce and Thomas all miss out on crucial snaps. With Kupp the only certain component of the 2017 offense, it’s a key absence for the other three. Austin has yet to join the new offense under Head Coach Sean McVay and Offensive Coordinator Matt LaFleur. The longer that remains true, the greater the chances he’ll never find a core role. Spruce, on the other hand, was looking at a big opportunity with Kupp out tonight. Opportunity missed. Thomas, who is facing a four-game suspension to begin the season, has a sizable roster battle on his hands. This hardly helps.

Defensively, you’ve got the entire starting linebacking crew out. It’s a great chance for the depth to step up with the starters albeit without Brockers and DE Aaron Donald, the two top members of the Rams’ defensive line.

(UPDATED at 7:25pm ET)

No S Maurice Alexander either...