Sean McVay addresses Tutu Atwell’s injury and Ernest Jones first start after Rams beat Texans

The Los Angeles Rams routed the Houston Texans by a final score of 38-22 to improve their record to 7-1. After the game Head Coach Sean McVay, Ernest Jones, and Matthew Stafford spoke to the media. Here are a few takeaways from the post-game presser.

McVay on Tutu Atwell’s injury

“Injury wise, Tutu is the only one that went out of the game. I’m not sure what it is with his shoulder, so I’ll have further updates for you guys tomorrow.”

Atwell has been having a hard time staying on the field. Going back to the preseason, it felt like he was heading to the sideline every other possession. McVay reiterated Van Jefferson, who momentarily left the game after banging his knee on the ground on a 68 yard reception, will be fine. Please stay, DeSean Jackson.

McVay on the defense hammering Houston

“I thought our defense as a whole were really smothering. I know we see those points on the board at the end, but when you look at the guys that are our starters in our first group, I thought they did a great job really applying pressure.”

The defense pitched a shutout until most of the starters were pulled in the fourth quarter, with L.A. leading 38-0. The Texans were able to get three late touchdowns during garbage time.

McVay on Jones’ first career start

“Was really pleased with Ernest. I thought he flew around. I thought he was able to learn from a couple things early on in the game where he can be a little bit more decisive…He just got a game ball. It was cool for him.”

Jones made the most of his first career start, leading the team with nine total tackles, a half of sack and an interception giving Los Angeles an immediate red zone opportunity. Outside of a hands to the face penalty which negated a Dont’e Deayon interception, it was a very promising beginning.

No news on the DeSean Jackson front

“I haven’t talked with (General Manager) Les (Snead). I don’t think there’s any updates on that. I know there’s been some dialogue with some teams, but again, I’ll be able to have some further clarity on that tomorrow when we talk.”

Again, please stay, DeSean Jackson!

Greg Gaines is pumped about playing former Ram Rodger Saffold

“I’m pretty excited about that match up since I trained with Rodger Saffold in the offseason and I know that dude’s one of the strongest dudes I’ve ever seen, so I’m kind of excited to go against him to see what I can do. And Derrick Henry is going to be an awesome challenge as well.”

Gaines assisted on four tackles and half a sack in Houston, filling in for Sebastian Joseph-Day.

Jones describes his first interception

“Just out there in the flats and kind of felt the guy coming behind me…I knew he was behind me, just trying to play it where the quarterback would think he wasn’t, and he threw it and I caught it and tried to go get us a touchdown.”

Not bad read and recognition for a guy that is “supposed to be” a liability in coverage.

Jones on his thought process after hearing of the Kenny Young trade

“I’ve wanted to get a bigger role for this team and help us out. When the news came about them trading Kenny (Young), of course I wanted to be there for him. But I also knew the season wasn’t going to end. There are vet guys in that locker room who are depending on me to come in and, if not elevate our play, just keep it the same and not bring us down.”

It was good for Jones to get his first extended action this week against Houston. Next week he will get the opportunity to do what he did best in college and thump in the run game against the game’s best running back.

Stafford on going for it on fourth down in the red zone

“I love that coach had the confidence in us to call a play and give us the opportunity twice to go out there and try and score. Just on me to really execute better in some of those instances.”

The Rams lived in the red zone, crossing the Texans 20 yard line on all five of their first half possessions. Had they scored touchdowns on two failed red zone chances, they would have put up over 50 points. Even with those stumbles, Stafford lit up the Texans secondary for 305 yards and three touchdowns, completing 21-of-32 passes. He shared the wealth, completing passes to seven different receivers.

Robert Woods credits blocking for getting into the end zone

“A little trickery. A little reverse. It’s eye candy coming back around. Had Kendall (Blanton) in front of me, Ben Sko (Skowronek) in front of me, able to get in there untouched. Really just guys being in front of me making it easy for me to score on that second one.“

After a quiet start, Woods’ connection with Stafford is starting to come together nicely. He put together another two touchdown performance against the Texans. That particular reverse is one of my favorites, which also produced a touchdown for Woods last year against the Philadelphia Eagles.