LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday, the NFC West got a major infusion of talent.
In the morning, the Seattle Seahawks traded two draft picks for six-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. Later that afternoon, the San Francisco 49ers countered by bringing Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to the Bay for the price of a fourth-round pick.
If you’re hoping to see the Rams counter with a move ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 10 trade deadline, head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday he does not expect such a move.
“What you look at is hopefully some of those trades will be guys getting back from injury that haven’t played for us,” McVay said. “That’s the way that we look at it.”
The Rams, who face the Chargers on Sunday afternoon, have been remarkably unlucky when it comes to injuries this season. They have 10 players currently on injured reserve, and one in offensive lineman Keagen Trost who has already been activated from IR.
And the injuries have plagued foundational pieces of the roster. Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett hasn’t played or practiced since Week 1 after undergoing knee surgery. All-Pro receiver Davante Adams is recovering from surgery to clean up a ruptured hamstring. Captain and defensive tackle Kobie Turner is on the shelf with a groin injury. Tight end Terrance Ferguson – whose vertical skillset unlocks so much of the Rams’ 13-personnel options – hasn’t played since Week 3.
And that’s not to mention wide receiver Puka Nacua, cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Nate Landman, who have all missed games this year.
But while some like defensive tackle Poona Ford are done for the year, the rest of the above names are expected back before the season is over. Some significantly sooner than that, as McDuffie (groin) and Landman (concussion) both returned to practice this week after two- and one-game absences, respectively.
“He looks great,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said of Landman. “Excited to have him back and excited to see what he can do this week. Obviously great presence for us as a leader on our defense, physical presence.”
With those reinforcements looming, the Rams feel comfortable with how their roster is shaping up heading into the second half of the season.
“With the amount of guys that have not been available that are key and focal points for really both sides of the football, we look at those guys hopefully being able to return within a month. That’s where that value lies for us,” McVay said. “Maybe it’d be a different conversation if we’re talking about guys that are on IR and done for the whole season. The good thing is a lot of the guys that are big, huge parts that we’re missing, we do expect to get back at some point, just not exactly sure when that is.”
INJURY REPORT
Rams center Coleman Shelton (hip) did not practice for a second consecutive day on Thursday. If he is unable to play on Sunday against the Chargers (0-6), the expectation is that Dylan McMahon would fill in at center, offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase said.
“I’m real encouraged by Dylan McMahon and what he’s been able to do since being here,” Scheelhaase said. “He’s got a lot of great reps throughout the course of these last couple years that have built up a foundation. Coleman is one of those guys that he’s instrumental in everything that we do. The communication that he has, the leadership that he has, the way that he approaches the game, the physicality that he plays with at the point of attack. He’s a key piece to what we’re doing. So we feel good about obviously Dylan and what he brings to the table but obviously, Coleman, he’s a tone-setter.”
Landman was a full participant in practice and McDuffie was limited. Tight end Colby Parkinson (ribs) did not practice for a second straight day.