Rams Coach Sean McVay Reveals Injury Updates for Three Stars
While the Los Angeles Rams seem to be emptying the cupboard of some pricy, yet productive members of their roster, they are still expected to return a trio of their most-valued veterans.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are no strangers to success in Tinseltown; each having played an intricate role in the Rams' run to victory in Super Bowl LVI. However, all three had their respective 2023 campaigns shortened by injury. As such, the Rams limped to disappointing 5–12 record, with their 12 losses marking the most in NFL history for a defending Super Bowl champion.
Still, Rams coach Sean McVay is confident that his veteran core is ready to bounce back in 2023.
“Those guys are feeling good." McVay told reporters on Friday. "Matthew's feeling good. Aaron is feeling good. Those guys have been at the facility recently. Cooper is doing a great job of continuing to attack his rehab. All three of those guys are, as we all know, so intrinsically motivated, such great people, but they're in a good head space."
Stafford, in addition to suffering a concussion in Week 11, ultimately met with a season-ending spinal cord contusion in L.A.'s Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In nine games, the 35-year-old finished with 2,087 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The Rams went 3–6 with Stafford in the lineup, in which he finished with 2,087 passing yards, ten touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Just months removed from his MVP-performance in the Super Bowl, Kupp suffered a high ankle sprain during the Rams' Week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals; with surgery requiring him to miss the remainder of the year. He finished the 2022 season with 75 receptions for 812 yards and six touchdowns in nine games.
The injury bug was so prevalent throughout the Rams roster that it bit Donald, as well. Known for his durability, the seven-time All-Pro had not missed a game since 2017. Unfortunately, a high ankle sprain suffered in late November limited him to playing in only 11 games last season. Still, the 31-year-led finished the season with 49 total tackles (10 for loss), 11 quarterback hits, five sacks and two passes defensed.
As the NFL calendar turns to its new league year on March 15, McVay is counting on the trio's experience and leadership to set the tone on a roster that is expected to look notable different from its 2022 counterpart.
In true veteran fashion each player has the professional savvy to understand that the Rams' hopes for contention must be built back brick-by-brick -- one day at a time.
"I think they're, in a lot of instances ... a similar feeling to me…exciting about enjoying football and not becoming burdened with the own expectations that you have for what we can or can't be and just going out and playing and trying to figure out how we climb back up that mountain and how we just continue to build one day at a time." McVay said. "I do believe those guys have that approach, that mindset and mentality, and very similar to a lot of the things that you've heard from me and from our group.”
While circumstances may continue to become more intriguing for Los Angeles in the coming days, Stafford, Kupp and Donald -- at the very least -- will provide stability for the Rams roster, their coaches and the fan base heading into 2023.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL
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