Elvis

Philip Rivers played the entire 2014 season getting epidurals for a bulging disc in his back, didn’t miss a start and played 6 more seasons after that…

from https://www.lafbnetwork.com/nfl/la-rams/la-rams-news/rams-josaiah-stewart-perfect-fit/

…rookie Josiah Stewart may be the dark horse ready to claim a larger role than many anticipated. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network has had Stewart on his radar for a while.

“Josiah Stewart was a personal favorite of mine back in the fall,” Jeremiah said. “He didn’t test for a long time during the pre-draft process, and when he finally did, the results weren’t great. I think that’s part of the reason he was still available in the third round. He’s undersized, and some people dismissed him because of that.

But Les Snead has shown over the years—look at someone like Kyren Williams, who didn’t run a great time—that he can find really good football players who may not fit the traditional height-weight-speed profile many teams prioritize.

I haven’t talked to anyone at Rams camp or heard his name as a standout yet, but I know the kind of player they tend to hit on, and Stewart fits that mold perfectly. I can see him carving out a role on what is already a very talented, fast, and athletic front seven.”

…

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com sees Stewart’s situation as tailor-made for development.

“I haven’t heard anything specific about Josiah Stewart, but he’s in a great situation—maybe similar to a Bryce Huff type of role—where he’s playing behind two strong edge rushers in Byron Young and Jared Verse. It could be an opportunity for the Rams to mix him in strategically.”

That rotational role — OLB3 on the Rams’ depth chart — is up for grabs after Michael Hoecht’s departure in free agency.

from Cowboys-Rams observations: What we saw from George Pickens, Davante Adams and more

Jon Machota and Jourdan Rodrigue

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6537818/2025/08/06/cowboys-rams-joint-practice-observations/?source=emp_shared_article

OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer mentioned multiple times after Tuesday’s joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams that they were trying to keep things vanilla on offense.

That’s particularly notable because it was not a great day offensively.

“Today was more about us,” Schottenheimer said. “It was, ‘See how we do. Throw the ball out there and see what happens.’ We did some good things. We need to do some things better.

“I’m not going to say we played great. We didn’t. I thought it was solid. We’ll go and make the corrections.”

Here are five key takeaways from watching Dallas’ offense during the roughly 90 minutes of 11-on-11 work against the Rams.

1. The Cowboys’ run game was one of the NFL’s worst last season. It didn’t look much improved Tuesday. Javonte Williams got the bulk of the first-team reps. He had very little room to work. Not much changed when rookie Jaydon Blue was given opportunities.

“They gave us some fits,” Schottenheimer said. “We had some communication errors. The run game wasn’t great.”

His biggest concern was how they handled the Los Angeles linebackers.

“What happens when you’re double-teaming people is the linebackers have to make a decision,” he explained. “The linebackers were playing fast and downhill and they were fitting their gaps. It’s all based on how you try to build a wall on defense. We just got to play with our eyes up a little bit better. We got fit on the double-teams but we didn’t come off to the second level, so there’s too much color at the point of attack.”

Schottenheimer liked the opportunity to face a 3-4 defense, which they don’t see in practice. This was the best run of the day.

…

Five Rams items that mattered from joint practices, from the offensive field:

1. Quarterback Matthew Stafford did not participate in practice but was present on the sideline for the session. Stafford, 37, has twice seen a back specialist for an ongoing issue that has held him out of training camp. McVay has called Stafford’s status “week to week,” noting that the team is holding Stafford out of practice out of an abundance of caution.

“He’s making good progress, he feels good (and) we’ve been able to kind of increase some things behind the scenes,” said McVay. “He’s in good spirits. … We do have a good plan in place that we feel good about, and he’s progressing in the right direction.”

Team sources have reiterated their overall lack of worry about Stafford’s status for the season itself, but it bears noting that the Rams consider joint practices as some of the most valuable snaps the offense can get together in the offseason because it’s close to live action, and they don’t play starters in the preseason. Stafford has so far not gotten those snaps with his teammates. McVay did not disclose when Stafford would begin throwing with the team again.

2. Veteran receiver and free-agent acquisition Davante Adams and backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (who also won’t play in the preseason, per McVay) connected several times in team drills including on a touchdown catch up the right side earlier in the day and again in an urgent move-the-ball team period on an outbreaking route to the left side. Puka Nacua will clearly still be a blocking asset on run plays. Tutu Atwell caught a deep ball for a touchdown during a team period — and is easy to lose track of as the Rams’ often-motioning player.

That receiver hierarchy is established, but second-year player Jordan Whittington and rookie Konata Mumpfield both took reps with the first team. It will be hard to keep either player off the field, especially Whittington who can contribute in the run game and will play on special teams.

3. Left tackle is still in question with starter Alaric Jackson continuing his treatment and recovery from blood clots. Veteran free agent DJ Humphries and third-year swing tackle Warren McClendon rotated in the role on Tuesday. When backups came in, veteran free-agent David Quessenberry took over at right tackle (Rob Havenstein is the starter). Right guard Justin Dedich got some snaps with the first-team offense, in part to give starter Kevin Dotson a break and in part because he could be playing the position in the preseason.

4. The tight ends — starter Tyler Higbee, No. 2 Colby Parkinson and No. 4 Davis Allen were extremely active and rotated (together and separately) often in and out of the offense. When rookie Terrance Ferguson is healthy, McVay has a true four-deep at the position and all contribute as blockers which helps disguise elements of their pass and run game when in heavier personnel.

5. Depth players who stood out: Reserve defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who clearly has gotten his body ready to take the next step in his second season. Backup running backs Blake Corum, who took on some red zone work, and rookie Jarquez Hunter who showed his speed on a short outlet throw catch-and-run from third-string quarterback Stetson Bennett, center Beaux Limmer, who started most of last season (but was replaced by veteran Coleman Shelton, who re-signed with the Rams in free agency), is the clear backup to Shelton but undrafted free-agent Willie Lampkin IV got some reps as well. Lampkin did limp off the field near the end of practice after a player rolled over his foot.

Other notes:

• Absent from Tuesday’s practice (though on the field in team-issued clothing): Emmanuel Forbes (hamstring), Nate Landman (calf; Troy Reeder and Omar Speights filled in and drew praise from Schottenheimer for their run-blocking), Ferguson (groin), Kam Curl (got stepped on), Kobie Turner (back) and, of course, Stafford.

• Retired franchise left tackle Andrew Whitworth was present and spent several minutes speaking with Dallas star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who is in the middle of a very public contract dispute with team owner Jerry Jones and was not practicing.

• Starting running back Kyren Williams spoke after practice just hours after signing a three-year contract extension that league sources said earlier Tuesday is worth up to $33 million. “I will never forget this day,” said Williams, beaming, adding that he felt like he had better call his mother a second time once he got back to his home just to make sure the signing had really happened. The icing on the cake? The practice wasn’t full-contact, but the Rams (behind Williams and their other backs) ran the ball well.

Davante Adams and Puka looking good vs Dallas
pic.twitter.com/TIVWsOwSiz

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) August 6, 2025

6 takeaways from Rams’ joint practice with Cowboys: LA wins the day

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/6-takeaways-rams-joint-practice-004307380.html

Tuesday was a big day for the Los Angeles Rams. Not only did they get Kyren Williams under contract for three more years with a $33 million extension, but they put together a solid practice against the Dallas Cowboys in Oxnard.

Sean McVay said it himself after practice: “Today was a good day for the Rams.”

Based on reports from Oxnard, the Rams won this practice with their NFC foes. The defense shut down Dallas’ ground game, while the passing attack seemed to excel against Dallas’ secondary. Jimmy Garoppolo continues to have a great summer and Williams put all of his talents on display just hours after signing the biggest contract of his life.

Here are six key takeaways from the Rams’ practice with the Cowboys.

Kyren Williams shows why the Rams extended him

Earlier in the day, Williams and the Rams agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension. Hours later, Williams showed exactly why he was worth the money. He broke off a long touchdown run up the middle, displaying good speed through the hole – something that was lacking at times last season.

He also put linebacker Damone Clark on his back while blocking for Jimmy Garoppolo, putting in the effort as a blocker.

Williams is the heart and soul of the offense, and that was evident during Tuesday’s practice.

Davante Adams can’t be covered

Adams was open. A lot.

His route running has always been top-notch, but the Cowboys had no answer for him on Tuesday. This touchdown was a perfect throw and catch by Jimmy Garoppolo and Adams after the receiver slipped through the defense uncovered for six points.

Davante Adams touchdown. Wide open. Runs by Troy Pride Jr. pic.twitter.com/4kPZyYzmiL

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 5, 2025

He scored another touchdown where he broke open on an in-breaking route and Garoppolo didn’t miss him in the back of the end zone.

This Davante Adams guy is pretty good. pic.twitter.com/xAm78TqV7z

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 5, 2025

Jared Verse wreaked havoc up front

Verse has a year of NFL experience under his belt and it’s becoming evident he’s going to be incredibly difficult to block this season. He was a menace on the edge, according to reports, regularly getting into the backfield to disrupt Dallas’ offense.

On this play, he blew up a running play and made a tackle for a loss, showing just how good he is against the run, too.

It’s been a lot of this in the run game for the Cowboys offense today. Jared Verse gets through once again pic.twitter.com/X9Ld2vWtBh

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 5, 2025

Rams’ run defense shut Dallas down

The Cowboys don’t exactly have a prolific ground game, but the Rams gave them no room to run. Reporters in attendance repeatedly mentioned the Rams’ run defense during Tuesday’s practice, shutting down the Cowboys’ rushing attack.

Plays like this show how good Los Angeles’ front seven can be when healthy.

A lot of run plays, not much happening pic.twitter.com/IT5f2Is0nF

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 5, 2025

Kamren Kinchens and Quentin Lake stood out

Kinchens and Lake made two of the best plays of the day. Kinchens’ highlight-reel play was a big hit on Jalen Tolbert after the receiver caught a bubble screen, laying out the Cowboys wideout in the flat.

Lake’s play might’ve been even better. He saw George Pickens going to the back of the end zone and turned to run with him, perfectly timing his leap to rip the ball away from the Cowboys receiver.

It sure wasn’t a touchdown and while it’s hard to see if Lake got his feet down, it was a stellar play from the defensive back.

Jimmy Garoppolo was sharp

It seemed like Garoppolo had a really good day based on reports and highlights from practice, which is encouraging with Matthew Stafford out. This throw to Tutu Atwell was outstanding, hitting the receiver in stride deep down the left sideline.

Atwell hasn’t had the best camp thus far but plays like this one show exactly how dangerous he can be. He went in motion and caught the defense napping, getting behind the secondary for a big play.

Tutu Atwell goes deep for the Rams. pic.twitter.com/anVG51H4Eo

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 5, 2025

It was a perfect ball from Garoppolo, and it’s not as if it was an easy throw, either.

He caught the eye of Rams writer Stu Jackson during practice for the way he spun it Tuesday.

KYRUN IT 🆙 pic.twitter.com/XoNsRh2cae

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 5, 2025

Sarah Barshop@sarahbarshop
Sean McVay said QB Matthew Stafford (back) “feels good” and is “making good progress.”

“We’ve been able to kind of increase some things behind the scenes,” McVay said. “And so he’s in good spirits.”

Five things learned from 2025 Rams Training Camp

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/five-things-learned-from-2025-rams-training-camp

LOS ANGELES – Rams Training Camp presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union officially wrapped up on Monday with a closed jog-through, following Sunday’s final practice open to the public.

Here are five things we learned:

1. Inside linebacker Nate Landman and defensive tackle Poona Ford on track to be difference-makers, especially against the run

The calling card of both players’ skill sets was their run-stopping ability, and that showed up often throughout camp. Landman and Ford both made their presence felt in the backfield.

Coaches and teammates regularly praised Ford’s upside as a pass rusher, and the leadership and communication of Landman, so those are also some items to watch heading into the season.

2. Tyler Davis poised to be “major factor” in second season

If Davis was the “unsung hero” of the 2024 defensive line, as defensive end Braden Fiske said, his praises were sung loud and clear in camp this year. The second-year defensive end is no longer under the radar after head coach Sean McVay said he is poised to be a “major factor” for Los Angeles this season.

Davis’ emergence is a big reason why defensive end Kobie Turner spoke so highly of the defensive line’s interchangeability. Like Landman and Ford, he was stout against the run often in practice.

3. Wide receiver depth looks promising

There’s a lot to like about the depth at wide receiver based on the camp performances of Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield especially. Whittington’s development in particular over his first full offseason is a big key to that, same for Mumpfield’s consistency.

That’s not to take away from Tutu Atwell, either, whom wide receivers coach Eric Yarber said was capable of playing all three receiver spots (and showed that in camp). And at the top, of course, is Puka Nacua going into Year 3, working in tandem with veteran Davante Adams. Xavier Smith also had some nice moments in camp.

4. Tight end depth should allow Rams to mix personnel more often than it did last season

Unfortunately, Terrance Ferguson sustained a groin injury that kept him out of the last couple of training camp practices, but McVay told J.B. Long and D’Marco Farr on Inside Rams Camp that he had been stacking days before that occurred. Davis Allen had a promising end to camp, and Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson displayed the consistency you’d expect from veterans with experience in this offense.

McVay last week said that depth at tight end could help L.A. “mix personnels” this season after it ranked bottom-10 in the NFL in both 12 (one running back, two tight ends) and 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) usage in 2024.

5. Confidence-building camp for quarterback Stetson Bennett going into preseason

With Matthew Stafford not practicing due to back soreness and Jimmy Garoppolo guiding the first-team offense, Bennett got perhaps the most action he’s seen in training camp in his time as a Ram – certainly more than last year as the third quarterback. Bennett showed command of the offense and made some impressive completions in- and out-of-structure, but more importantly, lots of smiles.

“The biggest thing is, number one, I’m seeing a lot of smiles out here,” McVay said Sunday when asked about Bennett’s areas of growth. “I think guys are at their best when they’re immersed in the moment, they’re enjoying it. This is still a game that, when people are at their best, they love everything that it accompanies. Whether it’s pursuit of mastery, the challenges, overcoming adversity, but I just feel like he’s a guy that’s totally present.”

from https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2025/08/04/rams-training-camp-takeaways-learned-roster/85506665007/?taid=68910ba267ccb40001e4d188&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Running back depth is as good as it’s ever been

The Rams have had talent at running back throughout McVay’s tenure, but it’s hard to say they’ve ever had this kind of depth. Kyren Williams is a workhorse as the RB1, with Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter each looking like RB2 types.

Corum has impressed in camp with his speed and agility, and Hunter’s power has been on display in practice; he’s also known for his breakaway speed. The Rams can use all three backs to keep defenses on their toes, while simultaneously keeping all three backs fresh for the long haul.

The Rams should be able to create far more big plays from the run game this season.

Rams Fans United@RamsFansUnited
Rams are wrapping up camp at LMU without an @TheAthletic beat reporter. In lieu of actual coverage, could you maybe tell us what the plan is?

Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
We will have a new writer very soon. There are a lot of people working hard behind the scenes to make sure a talented candidate group has a thorough eval. I’m really excited for that person when this process is complete. We’ve been proud to serve our Rams readers for many years.

Every day he waits for his friend to play pic.twitter.com/1RIgZnjc5R

— Gabriele Corno (@Gabriele_Corno) August 3, 2025

What I Saw At Rams Training Camp Today: Day Ten
The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up their training camp on Sunday

Brock Vierra

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/los-angeles-puka-nacua-blake-corum

LOS ANGELES, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up training camp on Sunday from Loyola Marymount University and as the team took their play to an acceptable limit, several players separated themselves from the pack as the team prepares to take on the Dallas Cowboys in a joint practice and in a preseason game.

Jimmy Garoppolo found it difficult to hit receivers due to tight windows. I’m not putting this on Garoppolo as it appeared he was testing his limits and the defense has his timing down pact. He did throw an inexcusable interception to Quentin Lake but made up for it, especially as for the first time in camp, the offense won in the red zone.

Garoppolo hit Davis Allen on a beautiful seam thrown that Allen hauled in one handed for a touchdown. Allen has been working hard and it has shown with the third year tight end playing like a starter. Terrance Ferguson does not have an easy path towards playing time.

Blake Corum was the winner on Sunday, the second-year running back zipped and zapped into openings. He even took a screen pass 75+ yards to the house. He looks like the player he was in college.

Kyren Williams and Jarquez Hunter did not let Corum have all the fun. Williams was shifty, making tacklers miss while Hunter showed off the vision, making precise cuts into openings at just the right moment.

Jordan Whittington is making a push towards the WR3 job with a strong performance while Konata Mumpfield impressed on the outside. Both men are quickly developing into reliable playmakers.

Joshua Karty was nearly perfect, missing one kick from deep. However, Karty nailed his second kick from his deepest distance which looked beyond 45 yards from the field.

Nate Valcarcel had a nice interception against Stetson Bennett while the Rams attempted to figure out life without Nate Landman as Landman was held out for precautionary reasons following an early exit on Saturday.

Jaylen McCollough seemed to play better the closer he lined up to the line of scrimmage. He looks to be the hybrid linebacker who could replace Quentin Lake if Lake leaves after this season.

However the big star was Puka Nacua.

Nacua made a ridiculous catch, sneaking both feet in near the sidelines. He looks to be in peak form and ready to take on Dallas come Tuesday.