The Los Angeles Rams announced they have waived, with no recall, several players, including quarterback Brett Rypien, running back Myles Gaskin and defensive tackle Cory Durden. The Rams also announced they have terminated the practice squad contract of quarterback Dresser Winn.
Injuries to Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers forced the Rams to experiment with several different quarterback and running back combinations, ultimately settling on Rypien under center with Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman in the backfield against the Green Bay Packers.
But entering the bye week — and coming off of a dismal offensive performance in Green Bay — L.A. has chosen to go a different direction. Henderson and Freeman should remain in the backfield for now, as Williams and Rivers are not eligible to return from injured reserve until Week 12 at the earliest.
At quarterback, Stafford is hopeful to make a return for Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. But even if he can’t, the Rams have taken a swing for the fences, signing former No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz to be Stafford’s backup or a potential starter.
Rypien struggled mightily against the Packers, going 13-for-28 for 130 yards and one interception. He gained only 4.6 yards per pass attempt and had a quarterback rating of 45.2. Gaskin, meanwhile, never took a snap for the Rams after Henderson and Freeman found some early momentum.
The Rams are going to have to piece together some offensive looks until their original starters return to full strength, and after the performance in Green Bay, they clearly have chosen a new path towards doing that.
Sean McVay hopeful Stafford can go in Week 11
Rams head coach Sean McVay did not lighten the severity of Stafford’s thumb injury, but said that given how tough the veteran quarterback is, he is hopeful that Stafford can make a return for Week 11 against the Seahawks.
“I hope so. That’s the hope. I know this: This guy is as tough as it gets. He going to play through stuff that not a lot of people will do and we’ve seen that illustrated already this year when you look at the hip injury he sustained against Indianapolis. Kept battling through that.
“He ended up banging his thumb pretty early in that Dallas game at the end of the first half and ended up taking him out of it after the two-point conversion where he dove in. I’m hopeful. I don’t know enough about exactly where we’re at with recovery, ability to grip the ball. I’m optimistic. I’ll leave that door open.”
