Outside of a torn ACL to Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams stayed relatively healthy in 2018, and that is part of the reason why they were able to go all the way to the Super Bowl.
So far in 2019 that hasn’t been the case though as a number of key players have missed time with injuries. The most notable is Clay Matthews, who is expected to miss around 4-6 weeks with a broken jaw suffered in the Week 5 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Matthews wasn’t the only Rams player to get injured in that game though as a pair of veterans both missed Wednesday’s practice. According to Stu Jackson of TheRams.com, running back Todd Gurley is dealing with a thigh bruise while Aqib Talib has a rib injury:
Rams HC Sean McVay said RB Todd Gurley did not practice today because of a thigh bruise. CB Aqib Talib did not practice because of a rib injury.
"After the game, you think it's your typical bumps and bruises and then it ends up being a little bit more than that," McVay said.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 9, 2019
This is obviously not ideal for the Rams as they get set for a big Week 6 matchup with the undefeated San Francisco 49ers at the Coliseum.
It is unclear whether either player will miss the game, although if Gurley does, Rams head coach Sean McVay said that Malcolm Brown would get the start in his place and rookie Darrel Henderson could see the field as well:
If Gurley is unable to play this week, McVay said Malcolm Brown would start in his place. Also said "it might end up being this week" that rookie Darrell Henderson sees action. #LARams https://t.co/zpLu5q0Ecx
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 9, 2019
Henderson was a third-round pick out of Memphis but he hasn’t gotten many snaps on offense with Gurley and Brown carrying the load in the backfield. McVay recently said that they are looking to give him some opportunities moving forward, and an injury to Gurly would allow that to happen.
Considering what is at stake in Week 6 with the Rams needing to beat the 49ers to keep pace in the NFC West, both Gurley and Talib will likely do all they can to ensure that they are on the field to help their team snap a two-game losing streak.
