The Los Angeles Rams are getting back more reinforcements, this time in the form of tight end Hunter Long. The team announced on Tuesday that Long is being activated from injured reserve, clearing the way for him to play on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Long was designated to return from IR on Oct. 26, opening the 21-day window for him to practice before being activated. Exactly 21 days later, Long has been activated and could see the field in Week 11. Long was the only player acquired by the Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade with the Miami Dolphins.
Long had been dealing with injuries during all of training camp and the preseason. Those injuries were in his thigh and groin and injuries the Rams were aware of when they received him from the Dolphins.
Long has primarily been a pass blocking tight end over his two seasons with the Dolphins, but being the only player returning in the Ramsey deal makes it appear as though he’ll play a bigger role in L.A. than he did in Miami. Especially now that the Rams offense has come down to Earth after some early success.
If Long can return to full strength and be the piece the Rams expected him to be when he was acquired by the Dolphins, he can add another layer to an offense led by Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Tyler Higbee.
Sean McVay expects Stafford to play
The Rams clearly missed Stafford in their Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers. With Brett Rypien at the helm, Sean McVay’s offense posted only three points in a blowout loss. The performance prompted them to sign a new backup quarterback in former No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz.
Now, as Week 11’s game against the Seahawks nears, it seems that Stafford will give it a go. McVay and the Rams have been impressed with the progress he has made over the course of the bye week.
“Matthew should be ready to go,” McVay said. “He was out there taking part in individual today. He’s making great progress. We’re operating with the anticipation and expectation that he is going to be good to go. He’ll be pushing through, but we expect him to be able to start and play and do his thing and lead the way this week.”
