Despite overturning most of the roster in the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams managed to go on a run late in the 2023 season to earn a berth in the 2023 NFL Playoffs.
The Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, snapping a 12-game regular season losing streak and clinching the No. 6 seed in the NFC bracket in the process. Los Angeles will hit the road to take on the Detroit Lions during Wild Card weekend, a primetime matchup that has plenty of storylines and intrigue.
The team will enter the playoff game mostly healthy after resting their key veterans, though they did see safety Jordan Fuller exit the game against the 49ers in the first quarter after he suffered an ankle injury. Sean McVay announced that Fuller is considered day-to-day, though he is unsure if he will be able to suit up against the Lions.
“Yeah, same thing. They’ll be day-to-day. They won’t be able to practice,” McVay said of Fuller and linebacker Troy Reeder. “Wednesday we’ll have a walkthrough so we’ll kind of just see what their status looks like. It was an ankle with Jordan and then it was a hyperextended knee with Troy. We’ll continue to just try to see…use all the time that we have. Hopefully they’ll be available. If not, then we’ll have contingency plans accordingly. Then it looks like (OL) Joe Noteboom is making good progress with his heel. Those will be the only guys that would probably be out right now from a projection as far as Wednesday is concerned.”
Fuller’s dealt with several injuries over the past few years, including his ankle, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to miss this weekend against Detroit. In his place, Russ Yeast stepped up and made some quality tackles against the 49ers.
Yeast figures to draw the start if Fuller ultimately can’t go, though the Rams are surely hoping that their team captain in the secondary will be able to get in some practice time during the week. While Yeast is proving he’s capable of stepping in, having Fuller would be great considering the Lions’ offense and the weapons they have.
McVay discussed what the Rams would be missing if Fuller is unable to go.
“A communicator, a guy that’s played with great range. I think he’s made a lot of timely plays in crunch time situations, but he’s been a captain for a reason. He’s got tremendous respect from his teammates and coaches and there’s been a toughness to his game. So it would be a big one for us, but we’re hopeful that we don’t have to go quite that direction yet.”
Detroit could be without rookie tight end Sam LaPorta who suffered a knee injury in their win over the Minnesota Vikings. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said LaPorta has an outside shot to play, though it seems likely he’ll miss given the type of injury he suffered.
Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interviewing for head coach positions
While McVay has received plenty of praise for the work he’s done this season, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris should also get credit for the job he’s done with such a young defense.
Morris has arguably been one of the best coordinators in the league the past few seasons and he’s reportedly getting another shot at a head coaching gig as the Commanders have requested to interview him for their vacant position. The Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers have also requested to interview Morris, who seems to be a hot commodity during this cycle.
