Final Rams injury report for Week 12 is a classic case of glass half empty or full

As the LA Rams prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles, this is more than a game about preparedness. This is Week 12 of an 18 week NFL season. Two thirds of the 2024 NFL schedule will pass over 32 teams this weekend. And the sole factor that could determine winners and losers this weekend fall to one common denominator. Which teams are healthy, and which teams are not?

Injuries ravaged the LA Rams roster out of the gates this season. And it was a combination of inexperienced rookies and injured veterans that contributed to the team's pedestrian start of 1-4 in the first five games. But the Week 6 BYE, originally thought to be far too early in the schedule to be of any benefit, was perfrectly timed. The early intermission allowed the team to regroup, reconfigure, and return to a far more competitive state.

Since that Week 6 BYE, the Rams have won four of their last five games to even their record at 5-5.

That is not to say that this team is healthy. Far from it, to be brutally honest. You see, the Rams have learned how to leverage a very deep roster while placing players into far better position to succeed. Even the Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins can be traced back to the coaches attempting to return veteran IOL Jonah Jackson to the center position. He struggled there, even down to the point of snapping the football.

After the coaching staff restored rookie Beaux Limmer to his starting center role, the Rams' offense appeared to be back on track once more as well. Still, it's not a matter of having familiar faces on the football field that makes this Rams offense purr. The story in 2024 has been about protecting the quarterback. Matthew Stafford has played three games this season, and whenever he is protected, the Rams offense has shown up in a big way.

So the first question is: Can the Rams offensive line protect Stafford against the formidable Eagles pass rush?