THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Yes, you read that dateline correctly.
The Los Angeles Rams are back at their (former?) temporary (yet still lingering?) practice facilities for at least a little while longer since permitting delays have kept them out of their new (also semi-permanent) facilities in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Trudging up the snakehole-pockmarked front drive in 94-degree heat only reiterated the point: Training camp is over. The real “dog days” are here. This time last year was when head coach Sean McVay really built his 2023 team, which far exceeded the expectations placed upon it entering the season. Between grueling days at Cal Lutheran — importantly, away from fans’ cell phone videos and prying eyes — and upcoming joint practices with Dallas, Houston and again with the Chargers, these semi-nomadic Rams will get their most crucial schematic and conditioning work of the entire year throughout the next two weeks.
Training camp at Loyola Marymount, plus their first joint practice in El Segundo, Calif., against the Chargers, still provided a lot to chew on. Here are 10 things I think:
1. I think I’m more worried about ankle injuries to offensive linemen — and starting left guard Jonah Jackson’s shoulder — than I am about receiver Puka Nacua’s knee.
McVay confirmed that Nacua will be week-to-week after landing on a bursa sac (a small fluid pocket in the knee) and bursting it during Sunday’s joint practice. He expects Nacua to be ready not just for the season opener against Detroit, but also for the game prep beforehand.
“Nothing serious, nothing structurally — he’ll be in good shape and he’ll recover,” McVay said after Tuesday’s practice. “We’ll be ready to go, no threat of anything for Detroit.”
McVay was less definitive about the three injured starters on the offensive line — left tackle Alaric Jackson (ankle), right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) and Jonah Jackson.
“I’m going to take it a little bit at a time,” said McVay, when I asked him whether he believes all three linemen would be back by the opener. “I certainly am not ruling that out, so that’s a good thing.”
Backup right tackle Warren McClendon is playing through an ankle injury (also suffered Sunday). Depth guard KT Leveston has an ankle injury as well, and left Sunday’s practice in a walking boot after accidental contact from a teammate. The Rams signed tackles Conor McDermott and Matt Kaskey, and interior lineman Alec Lindstrom on Tuesday.
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2. I think the Rams’ safeties are going to be very, very good.
Because Kam Curl has a huge range at the position, and because the Rams could field veteran John Johnson III or rookie Kam Kinchens (who really put things together in the final few days of camp) alongside him, they can deploy Quentin Lake in a variety of roles including where he showed major potential in 2023: dime linebacker and “Star.” They have depth here, too, because Johnson or Kinchens could back up a more traditional two-high look between Lake and Curl, while giving Lake position flexibility when they get on the field. All of the safeties have been making plays and covering a lot of ground in practice. That speaks to one of the strengths of defensive coordinator Chris Shula, who used to coach the position and help scouts with talent identification.
Matthew Stafford threw 24 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions last season. (Kiyoshi Mio / USA Today)
3. I think after this season quarterback Matthew Stafford will either come back to the table with the Rams, or work with them to explore his options elsewhere.
The recent adjustment to Stafford’s contract (which prevented a holdout), per Over the Cap, moved $5 million forward from 2025 and lowered the cap charge for 2024 by $3.33 million, although his cap number is $46.1 million. Stafford also received $40 million fully guaranteed at signing (which includes his $23.5 million salary in 2024), and a $4 million roster bonus in 2025.
Functionally, while the contract guarantees more guaranteed money this year, it leaves future years much more up in the air. If Stafford stays healthy and plays well in 2024, he could re-negotiate again with the Rams and I believe they would be open to that — although within reason in accordance with their own salary cap. The team will have multiple contracts coming due after the 2025 season, including starting center Steve Avila, starting defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Byron Young, and starting receiver Nacua. They will have to seriously consider how much they are willing to pay a quarterback who will be 38 years old entering the 2026 season.
However. I believe that Stafford’s camp leaking to NFL Network back in April that he wanted more guaranteed money on his deal (equating to more guaranteed years), which McVay confirmed was true at that time, was a signal to the Rams and 31 other teams that Stafford feels he will earn those guarantees for multiple seasons with his play. If he doesn’t stay healthy in 2024, that mindset could change. But if he feels good, I think he will want to play football — and he’ll be able to find a fit, whether in L.A. or elsewhere.
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Observing Rams QB Matthew Stafford through an entire practice — his first in pads of 2024
4. I think Braden Fiske had the best training camp of any Rams player (but that certainly doesn’t take away from a strong showing by rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse).
Camp obviously started with no pads. So I watched Fiske’s feet (ultra-fast) and hands (usually correct in their placement and leverage). When pads came on, Fiske was as-advertised and used a combination of speed, technical work and power to make multiple plays each day. Meanwhile, Verse’s size and speed make him look like a seasoned professional. The Rams have three outside linebackers who impressed in camp (Verse, Byron Young and Michael Hoecht) and on the inside, Fiske and Turner are playing well together while Bobby Brown III has also had a solid camp. Desjuan Johnson’s play energy also stands out, though he will always have a steep hill to climb as a former “Mr. Irrelevant” draft pick.
5. I think the Rams need to do what they can to keep Avila at center, despite health concerns along the line.
Avila has spent the entire offseason working at understanding the position as a professional player, though previously excelled there in college. McVay said the Rams aren’t afraid of potentially moving him back to left guard as needed, in light of injuries and depth concerns at multiple positions along the offensive line. Avila told me he has gotten a much better grasp of all of the calls and adjustments he needs to make as a center, and he and Stafford have not had any issues with the exchange overall.
But it’s one thing to get a handle on a position change that significant, and another to build confidence and even an edge at the position against live opponents. Avila will be a franchise offensive lineman for the Rams, but in my opinion consistency and sustainability at such a core position is good for both team and player. Just because they can move him, doesn’t mean they should.
6. I think inside linebacker is far too thin behind Ernest Jones.
Jones is backed up by Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder, both of whom have plenty of experience but in a vacuum would not be full-time players. Jake Hummel has a lot of speed, while Olakunle Fatukasi, the second-year linebacker out of Rutgers, has notable size at the position and has flashed potential more than once.
7. I think injuries elsewhere and a very strong tight ends room will continue to push McVay toward more 12 and 13 personnel.
The Rams have three versatile tight ends, all who were very active either in rotation or combination throughout camp. Even when the linemen return, helping them onboard back into active games may mean they get more help from capable blockers at tight end and receiver, and without Nacua on the field right now Stafford will look for other targets — he clearly trusts Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen.
A sixth-round pick earlier this year, Jordan Whittington has made some plays for the Rams in camp. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)
8. I think I can handicap the wide receivers room, if the season started today:
Cooper Kupp, Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson, Xavier Smith.
The Rams may only need to roster three tight ends for now, because Tyler Higbee (Physically Unable to Perform list) is expected to return middle-to-late season. For that reason, they potentially could get away with sneaking Smith onto the initial roster. He has had a great camp and could be a return specialist.
This is a crucial year for Atwell to make his presence more felt on the field in a consistent manner. The Rams received trade calls on Atwell ahead of last year’s deadline, multiple league sources said at the time.
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9. I think the Rams could keep four running backs on the roster, because veteran Boston Scott and third-year player Ronnie Rivers are solid depth behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, and also because Scott and Rivers excel on special teams.
10. I think the Rams have found their kicker.
At LMU, the kicking unit was usually on the makeshift partial field behind the main field and out of the view of fans and reporters. Only Sunday and Tuesday (and moving forward, now that the Rams are back at CLU) could rookie Josh Karty truly be observed. He did not miss a kick on either of the two days — 7-of-7 from a variety of distances including 48-plus and 50-plus yards. Time will tell how he (or any kicker) will handle the new kickoff.
(Top photo of Braden Fiske: Brandon Sloter / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
