LOOK: Los Angeles Rams QB Stetson Bennett Returned to Georgia Amid Absence
Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett hadn't been seen since it was announced that he was on the non-football-related injury list. That was until this past Saturday when the fourth-round pick returned to Athens to be honored during the Georgia Bulldogs game versus the Ole Miss Rebels.
Bennett, the former two-time national championship-winning quarterback for the Bulldogs, was presented his Burlsworth Trophy, an award annually given to the most outstanding college football who started their career as a walk-on during the first half of Georgia's 52-17 beatdown of Ole Miss.
Former Georgia star quarterback Stetson Bennett receives the Burlsworth Trophy during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Ole Miss in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
Despite Bennett's return to Athens, it is still unlikely that the former Bulldog will return to the Rams this season after being away due to undisclosed reasons.
"I'm not ready to say that he won't be back with us at all this year, but it's probably less likely than it is likely he would be," Rams coach Sean McVay said recently when asked about a potential return for Bennett.
Bennett's abrupt absence from the team came after an up-and-down preseason, where, despite having mixed results, he looked set to be the Rams' backup quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, as he had beaten out Brett Rypien for the role. However, that was before his off-the-field issue arose.
Since then, the Rams turned to Rypien as Stafford's backup, who did see action in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys before starting the following week in the loss to the Green Bay Packers as the 35-year-old recovered from a thumb injury.
Yet, Rypien's stint was short-lived. Following his lackluster start, the Rams released him in favor of former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick and Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Carson Wentz, who was a free agent to start the season.
While Bennett will keep working toward his return to the team, the Rams will look to get back into playoff contention as they are coming off their bye week and are set to host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Kickoff inside SoFi Stadium is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. (PT).
