Cameron DaSilva
July 26, 2024 6:51 am PT
6 takeaways from Rams' 2nd practice of training camp
Training camp rolled along on Thursday with the Los Angeles Rams holding their second practice of the week in front of a packed crowd at Loyola Marymount. Young players are standing out a bit when given opportunities and veterans such as Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp look like their usual selves, which bodes well for the Rams heading into the 2024 season.
Here are six takeaways from the second practice of training camp.
1
Kamren Curl already standing out
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Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported this week that the Rams’ coaching staff has been impressed by Curl in the early portions of OTAs and camp, which is certainly encouraging. He was one of their key free-agent signings so for him to be standing out already, that’s a great sign for the secondary as a whole.
He made an impressive pass breakup late in practice, going across the field to knock away a pass intended for Demarcus Robinson.
2
Jordan Whittington getting first-team reps
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The wide receiver rotation is still being worked out, as is every other position group, but it’s worth noting that Whittington got some first-team reps on Thursday. And he appeared to take advantage, making a catch down the left sideline after beating Tre’Davious White, who was in coverage.
3
Cornerback group suffers another hit
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sean McVay confirmed that Derion Kendrick did tear his ACL in the first practice on Wednesday, and the cornerback group might’ve suffered another blow. On the final play of practice, Williams pulled up while running after suffering what McVay called a hamstring injury. McVay didn’t know the severity of it, but hopefully it’s nothing serious.
“I’m not sure. Yeah, he felt it in his hamstring,” McVay said.
McVay didn’t rule out the possibility of bringing back Ahkello Witherspoon in wake of these two injuries.
4
No concerns about Kevin Dotson’s health
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dotson left practice early on Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury but he returned to the field for Day 2. McVay noted after Thursday’s practice that Dotson felt something in his toe so the team wanted to be cautious, but he’s good to go moving forward.
“Yeah, he just felt a little something in his toe yesterday so he was back out there today,” he said. “When I asked him before practice ‘How [are] you feeling?’ He said he is totally fine. So I said, ‘Why the heck did you miss a little bit yesterday then? No, but he’s feeling good.”
5
Jared Verse and Braden Fiske making their presence felt
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Verse and Fiske have barely gotten their feet wet as NFL players, being in their first week of training camp. And even though it’s only been two days, McVay likes what he’s seen from the two rookies out of Florida State. The coach said after Thursday’s practice that both guys are making their presence felt and it’s easy to see how much they love football every time they take the field.
I thought Jared Verse, I really felt him today. I thought he showed up in some pass-rush situations yesterday. I thought he did again today, but I thought he was played more complete in both phases just from watching him from the sideline,” McVay said. “I’ve felt Braden Fiske these first couple [of] days. He has a great demeanor. Both of those guys are exactly what we’re looking for and I want to just continue to see them, grow, get comfortable with what we’re asking of them, but also be themselves because that’s one of the reasons that we love them just the way that they’re innately wired. They love this game. You can see they have done a really nice job. We’re excited about them.”
6
Matthew Stafford (unsurprisingly) looks sharp
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
This is Year 16 for the veteran quarterback so he should be used to slinging the ball around in training camp by now. It doesn’t take very long for him to look like he’s in midseason form and it appears he’s already reached that point. According to Gilberto Manzano, Stafford made several eye-popping throws, including a sidearm pass to Demarcus Robinson and no-lookers to both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
View: https://x.com/RamsNFL/status/1816640778204250575
View: https://x.com/GManzano24/status/1816641767514755103