The Los Angeles Rams are heading to Hawaii to take on the Dallas Cowboys in their second preseason matchup of the year this weekend. In typical preseason fashion, most of the Rams key players and starters most likely will not play.
Unfortunately for the Rams Hawaiian fans, the whole team will not even be making the trip. After learning yesterday that Todd Gurley may not travel, updated news today has upped the ante.
According to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN, both Jared Goff and Gurley will not be traveling with the team to Hawaii, although there is some good news as Aaron Donald and Marcus Peters are among those that will make the trip:
Rams QB Jared Goff and RB Todd Gurley will not be making the trip to Hawaii, along with most of the starters. DT Aaron Donald and CB Marcus Peters will make the trip, though will not play in the game.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 15, 2019
While it is interesting to hear that many key players will not be traveling, news of starters being held out of the game should not surprise anyone.
The Rams did not play most starters during last week’s matchup against the Oakland Raiders. Most players are likely being held out to reduce any and all chances of injury or mishap. In particular, Gurley’s health is being closely monitored as the situation with his arthritic knee continues to develop.
Peters visited Hawaii earlier this offseason to host a training camp for underprivileged children. While there, Peters got took to the airwaves to give a hilarious weather report for a local news station.
With Gurley and most other starters staying in L.A., a great opportunity for Rams rookie running back Darrell Henderson presents itself. Henderson saw significant time in the Rams first preseason game but was only able to put up 13 yards on six carries.
Henderson will likely be given a chance to improve upon that performance in Hawaii. The Rams are hoping that he will be able to lighten the load for Gurley and backup running back Malcolm Brown.
It appears that it will be most of the Rams’ starting offensive players that will be staying back in Los Angeles. they are expected to get some workouts in together while the rest of their team faces off against the Cowboys at Aloha Stadium.
