Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams remain uncertain about a critical pair of players against the Philadelphia Eagles, starters Steve Avila at left guard and defensive end Braden Fiske, per the team’s injury report.
The Rams will also be without another surprisingly expensive player on offense.
All the while, they are bracing for a shot at redemption against the reigning champs, whom they lost to during the regular and postseason last year.
Rams’ Starters Braden Fiske, Steve Avila Uncertain vs Eagles
GettyBraden Fiske #55 of the Los Angeles Rams in action during the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Rams released their final injury report of the week on Friday, and they listed Avila as “doubtful,” which is as ominous as possible without officially ruling the offensive lineman out against the Eagles.
Avila already missed one game, sitting out the Rams’ 33-19 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. He did not practice all week, taking some surprise, but not the sting, out of the news.
“In games that Avila has missed, the substituting player has averaged PFF grades of 60.25 RBLK, 39.5 PBLK, and allowed 2.5 pressures on avg,” Turf Show Time’s Blaine Grisak posted on X on September 20, answering his own question about the guard’s value. “Avila’s final PFF grades in 2024? 70.6 RBLK, 50.6 PBLK, and gave up 1.9 pressures on avg.”
Fiske has started both games so far. He has yet to record a sack, but had 8.5 of them in 2024.
“Really big if both can’t go. Felt like the playoff game changed drastically once Fiske went out,” Grisak said in a post on X on September 19 in reaction to the injury news. Rams iOL already struggling in pass pro.”
The Eagles have yet to hit their stride offensively, and that could prove challenging against the Rams’ fourth-ranked unit.
But the Eagles rank eighth in total defense and seventh against the pass entering Sunday.
They have recorded 2 sacks this season and were average with 41 in 2024. However, the Eagles sacked Stafford 10 times last season, notching 5 sacks in Week 12 of the regular season, and repeating the performance in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Rams’ Highest-Paid TE Could Undercut Rookie Terrance Ferguson
GettyTerrance Ferguson #18 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before facing the Houston Texans.
The Rams could also be without their highest-paid tight end (in terms of total contract value) against the Eagles, whose secondary works in conjunction with the pass rush to make opposing QBs like Stafford’s life more difficult.
No, it is not starter Tyler Higbee.
It is former Seattle Seahawks fourth-round draft pick (2020) Colby Parkinson. He missed Week 2 against the Titans, which afforded rookie second-rounder Terrance Ferguson offensive reps.
Parkinson has caught both of his targets this season, but they have gone for a net loss of 6 yards. Ferguson still logged just four snaps on offense against the Titans, per Pro Football Reference.
It is unclear if Parkinson’s return to the lineup would be delayed for that reason.
The good news for the Rams is that their trio of players with non-injury-related absences (Alaric Jackson, Davante Adams, and Rob Havenstein) remains clear to face the Eagles.
Rams Get Bad News From Eagles’ Injury Report
GettyJalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Rams could need all hands on deck to take down the Eagles, who got official word on standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter on Friday. He will play.
It was Carter who sacked Stafford with the Rams in scoring position on third-and-2 during the NFC Divisional Round. The sack pushed the Rams outside of the red zone and forced a fourth down on which the QB missed Puka Nacua, securing the victory for the Eagles.
The Eagles will also have standout veteran tight end Dallas Goedert available.
He had four grabs for 19 yards against the Rams in the regular season last year, but posted a 4-56-0 line for the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
The Eagles will also have defensive tackle Byron Young, and are only uncertain about backup QB Tanner McKee, though they will be without reserve running back Will Shipley.
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