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?

Rams injury report - glass half empty

It's never an easy task to enter a football game as a home underdog and be faced with an injury to a key contributor. Some fans had hoped that veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein might be healthy enough to suit up to face the Eagles. But as of the latest Rams injury report, that is almost certain not to happen. And that creates a bit of a conundrum for the coaching staff.

In Week 11, backup offensive tackle Warren McClendon Jr. handled the starting right tackle job, and played extremely well. And there is a lot to be said with continuity. In fact, as the team makes final preparations to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12, continuity on the offense line could play a huge role in the outcome of the game.

But there is the matter of swing tackle Joe Noteboom. He was listed as a full participant in practice on both Thursday and Friday of this week, has no game status qualifiers, and is considered to be the first offensive tackle to step in for an injured teammate.

On one hand, the LA Rams would love to duplicate the same results in Week 12 as they experienced in Week 11. Namely, a win. 28 points scored. And perhaps best of all, no sacks against veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. But how confident are the Rams coaches in Warren McClendon Jr. Will the availability of Noteboom persuade them to make another change to the starting offensive line?

Rams injury report - glass half full

I had covered some of the struggles that the Rams secondary faced early in the season. This has most certainly been a work-in-process, as the team has had to reform the secondary around those defensive backs who were healthy in any given week. That created a chaotic set of circumstances for the early games, as the team had to make do with healthy players.

As the team has gained experience and a more robust and healthy secondary, the defense has begun to stiffen. Huge gains have eroded in volume and intensity. Now, the Rams defense is beginning to elevate its game somewhat. But will all of the weapons at the Eagles disposal, they felt outgunned and understaffed.

But has that changed?

It may have. One of the most effective Eagles wide receivers, DeVonta Smith, has been ruled out for Week 12. And that could have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.

While the Eagles offense is still quite formidable with WR A.J. Brown, TE Dallas Goedert, and RB Saquon Barkley, Smith has been an incredibly effective aerial option for the Eagles. He leads the team in receiving touchdowns with four, is second on the team witn 516 receiving yards, and he has been a vital counterbalance to an offense to keep their chains moving.

The Rams have the ability to play respectable pass coverage on one target. But the secondary has struggled to corral multiple receivers in the secondary. While I would not count on Smith's absence to assure a Rams victory, it does lend a less steep path to one.

The Philadelphia Eagles have a comfortable lead in the NFC East. And they would need a lot of dominoes to fall the right way for them to claim the Top-Seed in the NFC for the 2025 NFL Playoffs. So in terms of vital importance, this game is not nearly as crucial to their postseason plans.

But it certainly is for the Rams. The Arizona Cardinals face the Seattle Seahawks this week. And a banged up San Francisco 49ers team must travel to face a tough Green Bay Packers team. A win by the Rams could launch them into a tie for first place in the NFC West Division.

Do you see the glass as half-empty or half-full? As always, thanks for reading.

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