The Los Angeles Rams have officially begun training camp, with their 2023 season preparation beginning on July 25 at their public training grounds on the University of California, Irvine campus. The 2023 season remains a couple months away, but teams are beginning their camps all throughout this week and head coaches like Sean McVay are speaking publicly for the first time in months.
At McVay’s 2023 opening presser, he gave some injury updates on two new Rams players, tight end Hunter Long and offensive tackle Warren McClendon. Long was acquired by the Rams from the Miami Dolphins in the blockbuster Jalen Ramsey trade. He is entering his third NFL season.
McClendon, the tackle out of Georgia, was selected by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was one of many offensive lineman taken by L.A. over the last two drafts.
Now, according to McVay, it appears that both players will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
Rams HC Sean McVay said he anticipates TE Hunter Long (groin) and OT Warren McClendon (knee) going on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) July 25, 2023
It’s unclear the severity of Long and McClendon’s injuries, and being placed on the PUP list is not necessarily an indication of a serious injury. Injured players must be placed on the PUP list at some point during training camp to preserve the amount of players that can attend.
Either player can be taken off the list at any point during training camp if they are deemed healthy enough to do so. However, if they stay on the PUP list throughout training camp, they are required to miss the first four games of the season.
Once they are activated from PUP, they have 21 days to begin practicing with the team. If they fail to do so, they are then required to miss the entire season. But that is an extreme scenario that was not mentioned by McVay with regard to either player.
With the Rams in desperate need of offensive line and quarterback protection depth, McClendon and Long’s statuses will absolutely be watched closely.
Logan Bruss ready to return
Another Rams offensive line draft pick, Logan Bruss, is in the final stages of recovery from his torn ACL last summer. He is feeling stronger than ever and believes he’ll be ready to go for the 2023 season, providing the Rams with another option up front.
