The Rams entered coaching camp with Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson slated as beginning receivers.
That also could possibly be the lineup when the defending Tremendous Bowl champions open the season towards the Buffalo Payments on Sept. 8 at SoFi Stadium.
However the rapid standing of Jefferson, a third-year participant getting back from offseason knee surgical procedure, took a doubtlessly ominous flip Saturday.
Jefferson didn't attend apply at UC Irvine. Afterward, when requested for an replace on Jefferson, Rams coach Sean McVay provided no particulars.
“We’re figuring that out proper now, working by that,” McVay mentioned. He then declined to share something extra.
Requested if Jefferson’s absence was associated to his surgically repaired knee, McVay once more declined to elaborate.
“l’ll have extra data for you later — like I mentioned, I don’t have something proper now,” he mentioned.
Final season, Jefferson performed by a knee situation and caught 50 passes, six for touchdowns. He averaged 16 yards per catch.
Jefferson caught 4 passes within the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Tremendous Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium.
In a best-case situation, Jefferson would return to apply Sunday and be prepared for the opener.
However his absence, and McVay’s unwillingness to debate it, raised rapid questions in regards to the Rams’ receiver depth.
Kupp is coming off a historic season. The reigning NFL offensive participant of the yr led the league in receptions, yards receiving and landing catches. A one-handed catch he made Saturday confirmed once more that he's poised for one more productive season with quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Robinson, an eight-year veteran, signed as a free agent. And all through the primary week of coaching camp, the previous Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears standout displayed the abilities that helped him put up three 1,000-yard seasons. On Saturday, Robinson’s diving catch at the back of the tip zone certified because the play of the day.
“He went up and acquired it, nice diving catch, sturdy fingers,” Stafford mentioned. “That’s what he’s about. That’s what’s going to assist us put factors on the board is making performs like that” contained in the 20-yard line.
With out Jefferson, second-year professionals Ben Skowronek and Tutu Atwell can be subsequent on a depth chart that additionally consists of transformed tight finish Jacob Harris and kick returner Brandon Powell.
Skowronek, a seventh-round draft decide, caught 11 passes final season. Atwell, a second-round decide, didn't catch a move. He performed in eight video games as a kick returner earlier than struggling a season-ending shoulder harm. Harris performed on particular groups in 9 video games earlier than struggling a season-ending knee harm.
Odell Beckham Jr., who's recovering from knee surgical procedure after struggling an harm throughout the Rams’ Tremendous Bowl LVI victory, stays a free agent.
Final season the Rams signed Beckham after the commerce deadline, including him to a receiving corps that included Kupp, Jefferson and Robert Woods. The day after Beckham signed, Woods suffered a season-ending knee harm on a non-contact play throughout apply.
Beckham stepped in and helped the Rams make their Tremendous Bowl run. The Rams have remained in touch with Beckham — he attended their Tremendous Bowl ring ceremony on the eve of coaching camp — however the three-time Professional Bowl participant isn't anticipated to be able to play till midseason.
After buying and selling Woods to the Tennessee Titans after which signing Robinson, McVay has been trying ahead to unleashing a passing assault that featured Kupp, Robinson, Jefferson, tight finish Tyler Higbee and working backs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson.
Jefferson didn't take part in drills throughout organized-team actions within the spring. However he appeared match throughout preliminary coaching camp practices.
Upon his arrival at camp, Jefferson mentioned the Rams have the items for a extra explosive offense.
“It’s undoubtedly suited to that,” he mentioned. “I feel simply going by coaching camp and the season, we’ll good it.”
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