The Los Angeles Rams are starting to look fairly short-handed as they prepare for a clash against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
The biggest uncertainty is Puka Nacua being listed as “questionable” for the game, although the star receiver seems to be trending in the wrong direction. Nacua’s backup, Jordan Whittington, is “doubtful” for the Week 2 contest.
Already ruled out are Myles Garrett—who was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least the next four games—and safety Kamren
Kinchens.
On a positive note, Aaron Donald is set to make his comeback from retirement official. Kamren Curl, Omar Speights, and Nate Landman carry no injury designation despite missing practice time earlier this week.
It’s worth monitoring Nacua’s status ahead of gametime Monday evening. With his availability up in the air, how will the Rams manage his injury as well as Kinchens’?
LA’s plan at receiver without Nacua, Whittington
It’s unfortunate that both Nacua and Whittington are injured at the same time. Whittington has been a productive player when given the opportunity, and he’s stylistically more similar to Nacua than Davante Adams.
There’s a chance that the replacement of Nacua’s production does not come from other receivers—the offset may instead be derived from the tight ends.
Colby Parkinson received just two targets last week. Terrance Ferguson had one. The ball could find both players more often without Nacua. Parkinson has averaged 3.46 yards per route run without Nacua on the field, which would be an elite mark for a tight end. Ferguson scored touchdowns in all three games he played last season where either of Nacua or Adams were unavailable.
If you are a fantasy football player looking to make due should Nacua be on the sidelines, the answer may be more challenging. Parkinson and Ferguson are the most likely beneficiaries. Don’t put your faith in Konata Mumpfield or CJ Daniels.
How will Rams adjust secondary without Kinchens?
Similar to how Nacua’s absence could signal a schematic change on offense, the defense may also flip the script without Kinchens. Quentin Lake was the team’s primary slot corner last week against the 49ers. He may play a more traditional safety role in order to man Kinchens’ ordinary duties. the other alternative would be deploying Jaylen McCollough at Kinchens’ spot, but McCollough is better suited playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
Utilizing Lake in a safety role rather than in the slot would open an opportunity for Trent McDuffie to play more often inside. That likely means taking Emmanuel Forbes off the sideline and giving him significant run on the perimeter.
LA’s only other deep safety, rookie UDFA Nick Andersen, is on the practice squad. He could be activated for Monday night’s game, although the Rams probably did not expect to see him play meaningful snaps this early in the season. I think it’s more likely that Lake moves to the defensive backfield and the Rams make due in the slot with a mix of McCollough and McDuffie. McSlot.
