The Los Angeles Rams began their preseason on a high note with a wire-to-wire victory over the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium. That came on the heels of a successful joint practice with the Cowboys as well.
Most of the starters and key players got their reps in during that practice, which left opportunities for the backups and players battling for roster spots in the game.
A majority of the Rams players made the most of those opportunities, although some unfortunately came away with injuries. Among them were rookie wide receiver Konata Mumpfield and tight end Anthony Torres, who hurt their ankles, and running back Ronnie Rivers, who hurt his ribs.
According to Wyatt Miller of TheRams.com, Mumpfield appears to be doing of, but Rivers and Torres are expected to miss some time:
Running back Ronnie Rivers (ribs) and tight end Anthony Torres (ankle) will both be “out for a little bit of time,” after sustaining injuries on Saturday. Meanwhile, seventh-round rookie wide receiver Konata Mumpfield, who left with an ankle injury late in the game, was cleared.
“He came in (this morning), was a little sore, but he’s not going to miss any time,” McVay said of Mumpfield. “And so that’s a positive and I was glad for him.”
Mumpfield was the Rams’ seventh round pick out of Pittsburgh and has been making a great impression during camp and offseason workouts. He had two receptions for 24 yards against the Cowboys before getting hurt and luckily likely won’t need to miss time. Barring something crazy happening, Mumpfield will likely figure into the Rams’ wide receiver mix.
Meanwhile, the injuries to Rivers and Torres come at unfortunate times as they battle for roster spots this preseason. Rivers had two carries for nine yards before getting hurt but given how good Cody Schrader looked in his absence, his roster spot could be in jeopardy.
The Rams typically carry four running backs on their active roster, three of which will be going to Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter. If Rivers misses significant time and Schrader continues to impress then the latter will likely get the final spot.
Torres was already a longshot to make the roster given the Rams’ depth at tight end, and not being able to get reps in the preseason certainly won’t help his case.
Matthew Stafford to return to Rams practice
The Rams also received some good news on the injury front over the weekend as quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been dealing with a back issue, went through a full workout. He came out of it feeling good and the expectation is for him to return to practice this week.
