The Los Angeles Rams‘ defense might be seeing a Houston Texans offense with missing wide receivers. Moreover, the Rams have good news on their starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
In Week 1, C.J. Stroud could have to make do with what he has, as NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported on September 3 that Texans wide receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios did not practice because of hamstring injuries.
Houston landed Kirk from the Jaguars in early March in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick and quickly restructured his contract by the end of that month.
Kirk and Berrios return to the practice field on Thursday, and Friday will be crucial in determining whether he can suit up Sunday against the Rams. If Kirk is limited or sidelined, the Texans may rely on rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to pick up additional targets from Stroud.
Rams’ Matthew Stafford Will Play Against the Texans
While it’s unclear if Stroud will have Kirk and Berrios available for the September 7 matchup, Stafford is set to start as the quarterback for the Rams. The veteran will take the field against Houston without letting the lingering disk issue in his back become a distraction.
“Oh, I’m going to go play the game,” Stafford said in a September 3 article from ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m playing like I always play. I got no issues with a physical game. Obviously, would love to stay as clean as possible, but I’m not thinking twice about that at all. I’m out there ready to go play.”
Stafford suffered a back injury while working out in the gap between the offseason program and training camp. However, he’s opting not to give any details regarding the situation. Nonetheless, seeing if the veteran performs like many are used to seeing will be interesting.
“Backs are sometimes interesting things,” Stafford added. “It’s not cut and dry what’s what and how you’re going to feel.”
Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams’ Chemistry
Stroud might not know until gametime whether he will have his injured receivers. However, Stafford will have his new target in Adams. The veteran receiver noted that the two are hitting the ground running.
“So much of what [Stafford and I] do is what’s not out here [on the practice field],” Adams said while speaking to the media on September 3. “So we actually got a lot of time to connect [while he was injured], and you get on the same page, and we get out here being able to time it up and go through some stuff, the live bullets obviously helps a lot too.”
Adams will be looking to be playing for a playoff contender again after leaving the Green Bay Packers. The 32-year-old spent two full seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, midway through his third season, Adamas was traded to the New York Jets.
Nonetheless, after leaving the Packers, these ventures in Las Vegas and New York have seen him not make the playoffs. As a result, the veteran will be looking to do his part with Stafford to ensure the Rams return to the postseason after reaching the divisional round last season.
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