After dropping their game to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, the Los Angeles Rams have now suffered back-to-back disappointing losses, potentially putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
In the loss to the Seahawks, the Rams were without breakout rookie running back Cam Akers due to an ankle injury, leaving Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown to carry the load.
Midway through the game, however, Henderson also went down with an ankle injury, meaning Brown had to be the featured back for the remainder of the contest. He was unable to gain significant momentum, picking up just 27 yards on seven carries.
The loss puts the Rams in a must-win situation next week to make the playoffs when they host the Arizona Cardinals. Unfortunately, they’ll have to face the Cardinals without Henderson, who reportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
#Rams RB Darrell Henderson is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain in yesterday’s loss, making it unlikely he plays Sunday, source said. He’s having tests today to determine the severity. But LAR will be short-handed heading into a huge game vs. the #AZCardinals.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2020
Sean McVay then announced that Henderson will be placed on injured reserve, which means he will be out at least three weeks:
RB Darrell Henderson will be placed on IR with a high-ankle sprain.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2020
Not having Henderson will be a huge blow for the Rams offense, as he and Akers have led the way this season in terms of carries and yardage. Akers’ status for Sunday currently remains up in the air as well as it remains to be seen if one week off is enough for his ankle sprain to heal.
If Akers can play, it should provide the Rams some relief in the running game against a Cardinals defense that has been susceptible to the run. If he can’t, it will be solely on Brown to carry the load in a must-win game for L.A.
Goff to miss matchup against Cardinals
If Henderson and potentially Akers’ injuries weren’t bad enough, it looks like Rams quarterback Jared Goff will also find himself on the sidelines in Week 17. He suffered what appears to be a broken thumb in the loss to the Seahawks which forced him to undergo surgery that will keep him out at least a week.
If the Rams lose to the Cardinals and the Chicago Bears defeat the Green Bay Packers, the Rams would fall out of the playoffs entirely, so there is a lot riding on this weekend.
