Article: Van Jefferson feels he's getting back to himself

[Psycho_X]

Rams WR Van Jefferson feels he's 'getting back to myself' after injury-shortened 2022 season

Injuries at key positions resulted in a disappointing 2022 season for the Rams just one year after taking home a Lombardi trophy. But players are getting healthy and looking ahead to 2023, including WR Van Jefferson, who said this week that he’s excited t

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Rams WR Van Jefferson feels he's 'getting back to myself' after injury-shortened 2022 season​

Published: May 07, 2023 at 02:08 PM


Injuries at key positions resulted in the Rams finishing the 2022 season with one of the worst records in the league, just one year removed from when Los Angeles took home a Lombardi trophy.
But players are getting healthy and looking ahead to 2023, including wideout Van Jefferson, who said this week that he's excited to be getting back to normal workouts after being hindered over the last year.
"It's been great being back and working with … those guys, getting back to myself and I'm feeling pretty good," he said, via the team website.
Jefferson, a 2020 second-round pick, got an opportunity for more playing time during the Rams' 2021 Super Bowl season due to other players' injuries, and took advantage of the chance. The 26-year-old finished his second NFL season with 802 yards and six touchdowns, second on the team only to Cooper Kupp.

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But instead of being able to build on his breakout season in 2022, Jefferson was one of the many Rams players whose snaps were limited by injuries. Due to a pair of offseason knee surgeries, the latter happening in August, the wide receiver didn't make his season debut until Week 8. And even upon his return he wasn't at full form immediately, making his first catch in Week 11.
Though the targets and receptions ramped up, it was never at the level of the previous year, and Jefferson finished with 24 catches for 369 yards.

"It was tough, it was a tough process to go through," Jefferson said. "But from the games I got back, got to experience a lot of things, got to do a lot of things. I think this offseason was just about me getting healthy. Obviously the knee injury, having two surgeries is tough, but like I said, I persevered through that, and now it's just about me getting my balance back together, getting the strength in both legs, and being able to do the things I know I'm able to do."

The return of a healthy Jefferson would definitely spell good things for a Los Angeles squad looking to rebound. Now the second-most experienced pass-catcher on the roster and the likely No. 2 WR after Allen Robinson's departure, Jefferson's leadership and talent will be essential if the Rams want to return to their previous success.​

Another hopeful sign for L.A. is that Jefferson isn't the only player getting back to normal activity, as quarterback Matthew Stafford said a few weeks ago that he felt “refreshed” and is a full-go for offseason workouts after missing the final seven weeks of 2022 with concussion symptoms and a spinal cord contusion.
Because of the timeline of each of their injuries, Jefferson only played three games with Stafford under center last season, and he says having him back on the field has been an energy boost for the entire team during workouts.
"Oh yeah, I think that makes a huge difference," Jefferson said. "I think (it does) for all the guys that are out there throwing with Matt. He's looking great, he's always been great, so it's just great to be out there with him again and see him healthy, and see him slinging it like he does. It's good to just be out there and get some passes with him."

 

[dang]

I think I’ve seen enough of Jefferson to conclude he has speed and technique but lacks separation snd catch radious. He is a good WR3 but I don’t see him as anything but a below average WR2. Comparing Jefferson to Woods ability to contribute in so many ways along with his ability to maximize YAC. Jefferson doesn’t compare. Comparing Jefferson to OBJs ability to separate and catch anything in his general direction. Jefferson doesn’t compare. I would love for him to grab 80 passes for 1100 yards snd 8 TDs this year yo prove me wrong but I wouldn’t put $$ on it. It looks like he will get his chance this year so let it rain Van!!! You’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose!!

 

[jrry32]

Van is a solid-to-good WR. He's capable of having a 1000 yard season if he stays healthy and Stafford plays well.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

This will be his actual breakout year. Wr2 targets so it should be a great year for him. There's nobody I'm pulling more for than van. Maybe tutu.

I'm getting pumped already.

.

 

[Merlin]

If he has a breakout year we're gonna be good to go on offense.

 

[HitStick]

I think I’ve seen enough of Jefferson to conclude he has speed and technique but lacks separation snd catch radious. He is a good WR3 but I don’t see him as anything but a below average WR2. Comparing Jefferson to Woods ability to contribute in so many ways along with his ability to maximize YAC. Jefferson doesn’t compare. Comparing Jefferson to OBJs ability to separate and catch anything in his general direction. Jefferson doesn’t compare. I would love for him to grab 80 passes for 1100 yards snd 8 TDs this year yo prove me wrong but I wouldn’t put $$ on it. It looks like he will get his chance this year so let it rain Van!!! You’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose!!

I’d put money on that. Two years ago he averaged 16 yards a catch and put up 800 yards. He injured his quad in the playoffs and really struggled to recover in time to put together a good offseason to build upon. He’s healthy and ready to go. I’m I’m saying he’ll hit 1,100

 

[BuffaloRam]

I can’t understate how important it is to have Stafford back and throwing to the team during OTAs. That chemistry was lacking last year

 

[brucebruce]

'gotta sell season seats' articles

 

[TheTackle]

Van is a solid-to-good WR. He's capable of having a 1000 yard season if he stays healthy and Stafford plays well.

He was a safe pick who was needed to win a SB. He has played to his floor which is pretty good. Can he elevate in a system he now should have mastered? We will find out but injuries aside he will get more opportunities which should increase his catches and yards

 

[oldnotdead]

Looking at Nacua's skillset, I see a Y receiver that can provide the offense with the type of WR the Rams were looking for in Allen Robinson. Van looks to start at XWR, Nacua at Y, and Kupp at Z. They will have size, speed, and hands across the board. Both Atwell and Skowronek provide depth and change of pace. I think this OL has the potential to be pretty good. This should provide Stafford with run game support and time to make his throws.

I'm looking for big years from all three, Jefferson, Kupp, and Nacua. This offense can return to the dominating force we saw in 2018. The offense is intact and has simply improved with the addition of Avila, McClendon, and the return to health of Bruss, Allen, Noteboom and Jackson and RB Evans.

The caveat is that Stafford is indeed returning to form. What IMO is concerning is that his arm issue was even showing up back in the Super Bowl. Many of his deep throws were simply off-target, either underthrown or overthrown. It continued into last year. I think it's chronic tendonitis and I'm concerned about his ability to be the elite QB the Rams need. That is why Stetson is so important this year. I can see him being inserted to finish games that are out of reach, and to simply conserve Stafford's arm. If it flares up again this year, you have to know his last year will be 2024. Let us hope that Stafford can give the Rams at least two more years because I think 2024 was looked upon as his last year when he signed the extension.

The reason I bring up Stafford in this thread is that his arm health will affect the year that the WRs will have. They could lean on their run game in much the same way they did with Gurley. With 3 good RBs they can potentially get that level of production impact.