LA Rams gain OBJ but lose Robert Woods to an ACL injury

Just as the LA Rams offense appeared to be set for the long haul, disaster strikes once more. In a season where multiple injuries have plagued the team repeatedly at the same position, news broke today by NFL reporter Adam Schefter that the LA Rams veteran wide receiver Robert Woods tore his ACL at practice Friday.

This news is just emerging, so there are no details available in terms of how the injury occurred or how severe the damage is. Based on typical ACL injuries, this likely ends the season for Woods.

Woods joins a growing list of receivers lost for the year that includes Tutu Atwell and Jacob Harris. Compounding the position is the fact that the team waived veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson after the trade deadline.

It was the shallow depth of the position that compelled the team to pursue signing Odell Beckham Jr. in free agency that started it off this week.  That action was clearly intended to give the Rams four starting receiver options to play on the field simultaneously.

Details are slowly coming forth. The injury occurred at Friday’s practice during a jet sweep.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

"“Woods went down with the knee injury and then got up and finished practice, sources told ESPN. After conducting media interviews after practice, he underwent tests which confirmed the injury, sources told ESPN” – per ESPN’s Adam Schefter"

That is devastating news for the team, particularly just days before facing the San Francisco 49ers.

Robert Woods will be sorely missed

Now, the offense not only has negated that advantage but gaining OBJ in losing Bobby Trees has undoubtedly left the Rams offense a bit behind where they were after their Week 9 loss. Of course, overcoming injuries is all part of the NFL. But the Rams are getting hammered by injuries this season.

Can the Rams absorb a loss of Woods in time to effectively compete in Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers? It will be a difficult win now, that is for sure. The LA Rams will obviously lean heavily on WR Cooper Kupp, and the 49ers’ defense knows it. Will the Rams be able to direct some of the offensive output through WR Van Jefferson or TE Tyler Higbee?  That remains to be seen.

We explored some WR options before the Rams signed OBJ, and they are still options even now. Losing Robert Woods is a setback. Now, how will the Rams address that setback is the question.