The Los Angeles Rams made it clear right away that there would be an open competition in the return game during training camp this year. Through two preseason games, it appeared as though running back Raymond Calais was closing in on the position.
Unfortunately, Calais was forced to exit during the third quarter of the team’s 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with a foot injury. It quickly became evident that the injury was quite severe since he needed to be carried off the field.
The Rams’ backfield already suffered a major blow with the loss of Cam Akers for the 2021 NFL season with a torn Achilles. It appears Calais is now also set to miss significant time.
Head coach Sean McVay says the second-year back is going to require surgery to fix the issue with his foot, via Cameron DaSilva of USA Today:
“With Calais, I think he got his foot pretty bad that he’s going to require surgery,” McVay said.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Calais is expected to be out for at least four months with a midfoot fracture.
#Rams RB Raymond Calais will have surgery Monday for a midfoot fracture and is facing a four- to six-month recovery, per source. Terrible break for Calais, who was going to make the team and was emerging as a weapon on offense and in the return game.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2021
This is another tough break for the Rams, who were already short on options in the run game. Although Calais was expected to play an integral role in the return game, his absence leaves this offense without another potential weapon to utilize.
The 23-year-old fielded two punts for 52 yards and a kick return for 29 yards in the preseason opener. L.A. could now look to give rookie wide receiver Tutu Atwell an opportunity to secure the position, despite enduring a few injury scares of his own versus the Raiders.
As for the running back situation, the onus will now fall on Jake Funk and Xavier Jones to step up as viable options in the backfield behind Darrell Henderson. Given McVay’s affinity for taking a cautious approach with the preseason, it will be interesting to see how the carries are split in the finale and whether a new name is added to the mix before then.
