Despite being without some key players, the Los Angeles Rams overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the San Francisco 49ers and win the NFC Championship.
The Rams trailed by 10 points in the final period but made plays in all phases of the field to secure the victory over a 49ers team that had swept the 2021 season series. Los Angeles gets to stay home to host Super Bowl LVI and hopefully endear itself to a city that is starved for a Super Bowl win.
Head coach Sean McVay recently announced that Tyler Higbee suffered an MCL sprain in the game against the 49ers but also provided updates for players like Taylor Rapp, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Darrell Henderson and Robert Rochell, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
Meanwhile, safety Taylor Rapp “is looking like he’s turning the corner in a positive way” after missing the Rams’ first three playoff games with a concussion.
McVay also said he was not “closing the door” on the possibility of defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, running back Darrell Henderson Jr. and cornerback Robert Rochell returning in time for the Super Bowl. However, at the time he spoke with reporters Monday afternoon, McVay said he still had to talk with the affected players and Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott.
Getting Rapp back would be a boost to a secondary that has been starting backup safety Nick Scott and the recently unretired Eric Weddle. Rapp is a sure tackler in the open field and could be a key piece against the Cincinnati Bengals’ strong receiving corps.
As for Joseph-Day, Henderson, and Rochell, each could have roles against the Bengals if they are cleared to play, although the Rams have done well to cover for their absences throughout the playoffs. Still, having close to their normal allotment of players would only help their Super Bowl chances so hopefully all of them are good to go.
