The Los Angeles Rams are feeling the fatigue after two close matches on the road against the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. Heading on the road yet again to face off against the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Sean McVay sent a clear message to the team.
“I think it’s just playing each snap. Being totally present, playing one snap after the next. Not allowing yourself to get too high or too low and I think every single snap represents an opportunity to do one or two things: maintain the momentum or snatch it right back.”
It’s been a total team effort to get the job done against Carolina and Chicago, and now the Rams could be down an important piece in this week’s matchup against Seattle: linebacker Byron Young.
Rams Share An Injury Update on Byron Young
In the first injury report of the week, Young popped up with a “sore knee.” McVay added that the Rams are being cautious with Young.
Now, the good news is that Wednesday’s report was just an estimation; However, there’s still a strong chance that Young won’t be 100% for Sunday’s game.
That’s not the only concerning thing surrounding Young…it’s the fact that the Rams aren’t utilizing him enough.
In the overtime win vs. the Bears, Young played a season low 43% of the snaps despite leading all players in the playoffs with the highest quarterback pressure rate (23.4%).
That’s likely a result of the injured knee, which could limit Young’s ability to make a meaningful impact in the NFC Championship matchup. But if his injury isn’t an issue, then the Rams should have him on the field for more snaps, especially if he leads all players in QB pressures.
Other Key Injuries and Matthew Stafford Talking Seahawks Defense
From the Rams’ side, safety Quentin Lake is dealing with an illness, corner Emmanuel Forbes Jr. is dealing with a shoulder injury he sustained when trying to tackle Bears’ running back Kyle Monangai, and linebacker Josaiah Stewart should be good to go after dealing with a knee injury.
For the Seahawks, it’s a pretty lengthy list, but some notable injuries include starting left tackle Charles Cross (DNP, foot injury), quarterback Sam Darnold (limited, oblique), and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (limited, hamstring).
As for Matthew Stafford, he knows the Seahawks’ defense will test him on Sunday:
“As good a defense as we faced all year,” he said. “They’ve got four guys they rotate on the outside, on edge rushers. They’ve got guys in the middle that are really, really talented players. Second-level players are great. Ernest [Jones IV] is having a hell of a year. And then in the secondary, they’re long and fast and aggressive. It’s a swarming group.”
It’s going to be a great matchup for fans to watch, as Sunday will mark the first time a No. 1 scoring offense (Rams) will face off against the No. 1 scoring defense (Seahawks) in a conference championship since 2014.
Seattle hasn’t lost since Week 11 to the Rams at SoFi Stadium, and the hope for Los Angeles is that they can get revenge after the heartbreaking 38-37 loss in overtime to the Seahawks in Seattle.
Rams Share Concerning Byron Young News Before Seahawks Game