Most of the Los Angeles Rams’ important offensive starters will sit out in the team’s regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks to rest for the playoffs.
Head coach Sean McVay shared on Friday that the Rams (10-6) will rest receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, running back Kyren Williams, and offensive linemen Alaric Jackson, Kevin Dotson, and Rob Havenstein. Los Angeles secured the NFC West title last week.
McVay said, “What I think is great about it is it will give us an opportunity to evaluate some guys that have done a really good job. We’ll get a chance to see some other offensive linemen play that we’re excited about.
We’ll get a chance to see those receivers work with Jimmy. (Rookie running back) Blake Corum will hopefully get a good workload. Look forward to seeing (third-string running back) Cody Schrader do some different things.”
McVay also mentioned he will give some defensive players rest, but they will likely still play to help the Rams fill the roster for the game.
“We’ll give a handful of guys some work,” McVay said. “Because of the youth that we have on the defensive side of the ball, we’ll be able to keep some opportunities for guys to play, but maybe not the amount of workload you’re accustomed to.”
Quarterback Matthew Stafford had already been ruled out for Sunday’s game after playing every snap for Los Angeles this season. Jimmy Garoppolo will start for the Rams against the Seahawks, with Stetson Bennett as the backup.
Nacua will end the season just 10 yards short of reaching 1,000 yards in a standout rookie year. The former fifth-round pick recorded 79 catches for 990 yards and four total touchdowns, despite missing five games due to a knee injury early in the season.
Kupp will finish with 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns, while Williams will end the season with 1,299 rushing yards, 182 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns.
Stafford threw for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns in his 16th NFL season, which were both career lows in a season where he started at least 15 games. However, Stafford’s eight interceptions were his fewest in a full season, and his 28 sacks were his second-lowest total.
Joe Noteboom will take over for Jackson at left tackle, and Jonah Jackson will start at right guard in place of Dotson.
Jonah Jackson signed a three-year free agent deal with the Rams last March but struggled with injuries early in the season and could not regain his starting center spot from rookie Beaux Limmer.
