The Los Angeles Rams are currently focused on their upcoming playoff matchup with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night as part of the NFL’s Wild Card weekend.
Elsewhere in the city though, it is hard to think about sports right now as wildfires rage on throughout Los Angeles. Due to the high winds, there currently are uncontained fires in both the Pacific Palisades and Pasadena areas. Thousands of people have had to evacuate their homes with tons of structures already being burned to the ground.
The fires have shown no signs of slowing down given the high winds, but first responders have been working as hard as possible to ensure people stay safe during this time.
Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua took to social media to express his appreciation for those first responders and also give well wishes to the people that have been affected:
Thank you to all of the first responders! God bless the families impacted!
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) January 8, 2025
Cooper Kupp would later take to social media to express his well wishes as well:
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires.
Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances.
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) January 8, 2025
The Rams have been very involved in the local community over the years so surely will be doing something for the first responders and any victims in the coming weeks.
For Nacua and the team though, the focus remains on Monday night’s game against the Vikings, which as of now, is still scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium, via Lindsey Thiry of ESPN:
Statement from the NFL regarding the Rams-Vikings playoff game scheduled to be played Monday night in Los Angeles: “The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA.”
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 8, 2025
Depending on how quickly the fires are able to get contained, the Rams may miss some time on the practice field this week although it seems the game isn’t in danger of being cancelled or moved.
Regardless, some players and their homes may be affected by these fires so hopefully everyone is OK and the damage remains minimal.
Rams rookie Blake Corum ruled out for playoffs
Unfortunately for the Rams, they will have to make their playoff run without rookie running back Blake Corum, who suffered a fractured forearm in Week 18 and is done for the year.
In Corum’s absence, the Rams will lean heavily on Kyren Williams with Ronnie Rivers being elevated to his primary backup. The team also brought back a familiar face in Royce Freeman, signing him to the practice squad.
