2 min read • August 05, 2022
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2021 record: 12-5, won Super Bowl LVI | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 10.5
On their way to winning the first Super Bowl in franchise history, the Rams endured significant injuries to Cam Akers, Robert Woods, Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Fuller, Tyler Higbee, and Sebastian Joseph-Day, among others.
After some roster shuffling, including the signings of Bobby Wagner and Allen Robinson II, the Rams come in once again with one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and one of the healthiest, with an NFC West high SIC score of 93.3.
Akers entered camp last week with no limitations after suffering a torn Achilles tendon late last July. The dynamic back made a miraculous return for the playoff run and was ineffective, but will be closer to his end-of-season 2020 form after a full offseason of rehab.
The retirement of Andrew Whitworth shook up the offensive line, but Joe Noteboom was re-signed for $40 million to take the left tackle spot. Noteboom ended last season on IR with a pectoral injury but comes into camp fully healthy, as does Rams’ veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein.
The man they will be protecting, Matthew Stafford, played through a turf toe and multiple left ankle sprains in the playoffs and reportedly underwent an injection to address elbow inflammation ahead of OTAs in late May.
Their receiver situation is the most concerning as it is suddenly up in the air: Van Jefferson Jr. will see a specialist on Monday as he is reportedly considering a second surgery to address a lingering knee issue.
Jefferson, who sat out practice ahead of the NFC Championship Game with an unspecified knee injury, brought in 50 receptions for 802 yards and two touchdowns in his second season.
On defense, Aaron Donald will once again anchor a defense that enters the title defense with few health concerns.
Starting safeties Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp each suffered injuries in Week 18, but neither Fuller’s ankle sprain nor Rapp’s concussion will linger into 2022.
Lockdown versatile cornerback Jalen Ramsey is on the PUP list for camp while he recovers from June shoulder surgery, while depth linebacker Travin Howard will miss significant time after suffering a groin injury that will require surgery.
Ramsey said that he played most of last season with AC joint sprains in both shoulders and was hoping to avoid surgery, which is why he didn’t go under the knife until June.
The 27-year-old perennial All-Pro will still be ready for Week 1, according to the Pro Football Docs, as his ailing shoulder will be fully healed after the 6-to-8 week recovery period.
Since he arrived in Los Angeles mid-way through 2019, Ramsey has 141 tackles, 11 TFL, and 6 INT in 46 combined regular season and playoff games and has graded out as one of the best defensive players in the league.
Stafford suffered a turf toe fracture, high ankle and MCL sprain, and low ankle inversion sprain over the Rams’ last five games of the season and still threw for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns while putting together three game-winning drives in the Super Bowl run.
The veteran quarterback’s ability to play through injuries continues to impress the Pro Football Docs, but his current elbow tendonitis may be a concern heading into the season. Sign up for notifications here to get the latest on his health approaching Week 1.
Akers’ 2021 return only six months after his ruptured Achilles was remarkable, but he will be much more effective in 2022.
Unlike fellow third-year backs J.K. Dobbins and James Robinson, Akers will be fully healthy to open 2022 and his SIC score will rise as he regains strength in his lower right leg.
After fighting through minor injuries and timeshare to start his career, Akers rushed for 424 yards and two touchdowns and added eight catches for 96 yards in his last five games of 2022.
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