The Los Angeles Rams will be without some key starters on Saturday when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers at the Coliseum.
While there are no official injury reports required in the preseason, here’s who’s confirmed out and who’s on the fence.
Out
WR Cooper Kupp
We learned this one yesterday to much sadness. Kupp will miss Saturday with a groin injury.
First, let’s hope this is all he misses and that come the practices ahead of Week 1, Kupp’s not even on the injury report.
As for the game itself, we’ll have to see who gets the work in his stead. Kupp was a clear component of the starting offense last weekend against the Oakland Raiders, so we’ll have to see who the coaching staff tabs to work alongside WR Sammy Watkins and WR Robert Woods.
WR Tavon Austin
Austin underwent wrist surgery in May and has yet to factor in the Rams’ preseason. He’s now dealing with a hamstring injury to boot. At this point, it’s worth considering the long-term implications at play here. Will Austin be available Week 1? How long before the Rams simply move on from Austin as a component in the offense overall?
ILB Mark Barron
Barron’s been unavailable as well with an indisclosed issue and will not feature in any preseason action.
Barron, like Austin, signed a major contract extension a year ago. Like Austin, he now heads into the regular season with legitimate injury concerns.
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
The Rams’ primary slot corner is out again this weekend. I’d be surprised if we see him before Week 1.
Questionable
OLB Robert Quinn, CB Kayvon Webster
Lumping both of these together. We haven’t seen either this preseason, and both are up in the air on Saturday. Rams Head Coach Sean McVay talked about how Quinn is one of multiple veterans on a “maintenance program” that limits his availability in general.
At this point, it might just be wiser to take the cautious route and sit both in advance of Week 1, but we’ll see if either are on the field this weekend.