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theramswire.usatoday.com
Cameron DaSilva
December 14, 2021 6:39 am PT
Every team has been forced to overcome injuries and absences due to COVID-19, and the Rams are no exception. They were without six starters on Monday night alone, losing five players to positive COVID-19 tests in the three days leading up to their game against the Cardinals.
Brian Allen missed the game with a knee injury suffered in Week 13, as well, leaving the Rams short-handed against the 10-2 Cardinals.
They still managed to beat their division rivals, 30-23, battling through the adversity of missing players such as Jalen Ramsey, Tyler Higbee and Rob Havenstein. Sean McVay and Raheem Morris were forced to draw help from the practice squad, also relying on backups who didn’t play much up to this point.
The snap counts show how the Rams replaced those six starters and who played more than usual Monday night.
The five starting offensive linemen, Matthew Stafford and Sony Michel all played every single snap. Joe Noteboom replaced Havenstein at right tackle and Shelton filled in at center for Allen, each performing at a high level given the circumstances. Michel carried the ball 20 times for 79 yards as the starter in place of Darrell Henderson Jr. again, giving him 44 carries in the last two games. He’s only missed two snaps in that span.
Kendall Blanton played a career-high 52 snaps against the Cardinals, getting thrown into action as Higbee’s replacement. Blanton began the year on the practice squad and had been elevated to the active roster before, but his role was limited as a reserve. Brycen Hopkins also played 20 snaps to set a new career-high, though he definitely needs work as a blocker.
Cooper Kupp came off the field for only six snaps, while Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. played 79% and 72%, respectively. The Rams don’t have much depth at wide receiver now so they must rely on that trio of pass catchers. Ben Skowronek was the fourth receiver, playing 14 snaps – primarily on running downs.
Bobby Evans took on the role that Noteboom had last week as the sixth offensive lineman. He reported as eligible six times against the Cardinals.
With Jalen Ramsey and Dont’e Deayon out, Darious Williams and David Long Jr. became the starters at cornerback. They each played all 78 snaps on defense, as did Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller, who remain the starting safeties. Kareem Orr was the third cornerback on the depth chart, playing 51% of the snaps – his most of the season.
Greg Gaines and Aaron Donald hardly ever came off the field, which has become a common trend lately. They played 95% of the snaps against Arizona, impacting the game in a big way as pass rushers and run defenders.
At linebacker, Ernest Jones has clearly emerged as the top player for the Rams. He played 87% of the snaps and had a huge interception in the red zone, the second straight week he’s stepped up in a big way. Troy Reeder only played seven snaps, continuing his downward spiral. Justin Hollins returned from IR and played 17 snaps, many of which came at inside linebacker ahead of Reeder.
Terrell Burgess played his most snaps of the season, earning 33 reps on defense. He struggled as a tackler and in coverage, so it wasn’t the performance he was looking for in this big opportunity, but at least he got some playing time with Deayon and Ramsey out.
A’Shawn Robinson continues to be a rotational player for the Rams, playing 49% of the snaps. Marquise Copeland also played 11 snaps as the fourth defensive lineman.
Rams Week 14 snap counts: How did LA replace six starters vs. Cardinals?
The Rams were missing six starters against the Cardinals, and the snap counts show how they replaced them.
theramswire.usatoday.com
Rams Week 14 snap counts: How did LA replace six starters vs. Cardinals?
Cameron DaSilva
December 14, 2021 6:39 am PT
Every team has been forced to overcome injuries and absences due to COVID-19, and the Rams are no exception. They were without six starters on Monday night alone, losing five players to positive COVID-19 tests in the three days leading up to their game against the Cardinals.
Brian Allen missed the game with a knee injury suffered in Week 13, as well, leaving the Rams short-handed against the 10-2 Cardinals.
They still managed to beat their division rivals, 30-23, battling through the adversity of missing players such as Jalen Ramsey, Tyler Higbee and Rob Havenstein. Sean McVay and Raheem Morris were forced to draw help from the practice squad, also relying on backups who didn’t play much up to this point.
The snap counts show how the Rams replaced those six starters and who played more than usual Monday night.
Offense
The five starting offensive linemen, Matthew Stafford and Sony Michel all played every single snap. Joe Noteboom replaced Havenstein at right tackle and Shelton filled in at center for Allen, each performing at a high level given the circumstances. Michel carried the ball 20 times for 79 yards as the starter in place of Darrell Henderson Jr. again, giving him 44 carries in the last two games. He’s only missed two snaps in that span.
Kendall Blanton played a career-high 52 snaps against the Cardinals, getting thrown into action as Higbee’s replacement. Blanton began the year on the practice squad and had been elevated to the active roster before, but his role was limited as a reserve. Brycen Hopkins also played 20 snaps to set a new career-high, though he definitely needs work as a blocker.
Cooper Kupp came off the field for only six snaps, while Van Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. played 79% and 72%, respectively. The Rams don’t have much depth at wide receiver now so they must rely on that trio of pass catchers. Ben Skowronek was the fourth receiver, playing 14 snaps – primarily on running downs.
Bobby Evans took on the role that Noteboom had last week as the sixth offensive lineman. He reported as eligible six times against the Cardinals.
Defense
With Jalen Ramsey and Dont’e Deayon out, Darious Williams and David Long Jr. became the starters at cornerback. They each played all 78 snaps on defense, as did Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller, who remain the starting safeties. Kareem Orr was the third cornerback on the depth chart, playing 51% of the snaps – his most of the season.
Greg Gaines and Aaron Donald hardly ever came off the field, which has become a common trend lately. They played 95% of the snaps against Arizona, impacting the game in a big way as pass rushers and run defenders.
At linebacker, Ernest Jones has clearly emerged as the top player for the Rams. He played 87% of the snaps and had a huge interception in the red zone, the second straight week he’s stepped up in a big way. Troy Reeder only played seven snaps, continuing his downward spiral. Justin Hollins returned from IR and played 17 snaps, many of which came at inside linebacker ahead of Reeder.
Terrell Burgess played his most snaps of the season, earning 33 reps on defense. He struggled as a tackler and in coverage, so it wasn’t the performance he was looking for in this big opportunity, but at least he got some playing time with Deayon and Ramsey out.
A’Shawn Robinson continues to be a rotational player for the Rams, playing 49% of the snaps. Marquise Copeland also played 11 snaps as the fourth defensive lineman.
