Rams vs. Colts: Winners and losers from Week 2
By Bret Stuter
Rams Loser: Rams running game
The LA Rams running game is back on life support. Yes, that’s right, and it’s due to the fact that the team has been reluctant to respond to the need to shore up one of the obviously thin areas on the roster adequately to this point. That is a bit ironic, as the Rams had entered the season with what appeared to be a surplus at the position.
To date, the LA Rams have lost second-year running back Cam Akers for the season due to an injury to his Achilles Tendon, second-year running back Xavier Jones to a similar Achilles Tendon, which the team addressed by giving Jones an injury settlement waiver, second-year running back Raymond Calais, who suffered a foot injury which the team addressed by giving him an injury settlement waiver. And now, Darrell Henderson, who has suffered a rib injury and is now questionable for Week 3.
The LA Rams will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with veteran running back Sony Michel, and rookie running back Jake Funk. The Rams did add RB Javian Hawkins to the practice squad, but that move will not help the team’s offense for the immediate future.
To date, the Rams have averaged under 90 yards rushing per game. While Stafford’s passing arm has been enough to pull out a win in the first two games despite the lack of run support, that cannot be depended on going forward. Perhaps a silver lining to it all is the fact that the LA Rams will be forced to use Sony Michel as the feature back. Despite his light use, he has been the best yards-per-carry rusher on the team so far.