Final Rams injury report for Week 15 holds TE turmoil, but reason for hope too

The LA Rams (7-6) had just five days to pivot from a 44-42 shootout at home in Week 14 to take down the mighty Buffalo Bills, and must now travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers (6-7) on Thursday Night Football in Week 15. If the Rams win, they have a mini-bye before crossing the nation to take on the New York Jets (3-10) in Week 16. If they lose, they have to wait 10 days before the next opportunity to compete and ponder what they could have done better.

Don't get me wrong, the Rams have been very successful after their Week 6 BYE. This team has scratched and clawed their way back into the hunt for a spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. But here comes the 49ers, an NFC West Division rival that has a knack for showing up and derailing the Rams at the worst possible moment.

The two teams always seem to play it close. And despite the Rams recent burst of success, they travel to the 49ers as a slight underdog.

We've discussed how the Rams rookies will benefit from seeing their first opponent for the second time this year. We have also pointed out how six Rams starters will impact the game in their first matchup with the 49ers this season. But the most relevant reference to this article is our feature of three injured Rams, and what the team might do if they could not suit up for Week 15. Currently, two of those Rams are out, and the third is still questionable.

Los Angeles Rams roster

Rams Reserve Injured (IR)

• DB John Johnson III
• DB Derion Kendrick
• OT Conor McDermott
• DB Tre Tomlinson
• DT Larrell Murchison
• ILB Troy Reeder
• OT K.T. Leveston (IR/Designated to return)

Rams Injuries

Here are the players listed in the Rams final injury report:

• TE Tyler Higbee - Knee - Out
• CB Cobie Durant - Chest - Out
• OL Beaux Limmer- Knee - Questionable
• DE Tyler Davis - Calf - Questionable
• OL Alaric Jackson - Knee - Questionable
• TE Davis Allen - Shoulder - Questionable
• WR Jordan Whittington - Shoulder - Questionable
• WR Demarcus Robinson - Shoulder - Questionable

Demarcus Robinson and Cobie Durant emerged from Week 14 with injuries, and the short week has made it very difficult to recover in time for Week 15. TE Tyler Higbee has been practicing with the team, but his absence of nearly a year will take time to get him up to speed.

A significant concern is the injury to Cobie Durant. After giving up 42 points and appearing to be helpless to force incompletions from Bills QB Josh Allen, the Rams secondary must somehow stiffen up without their best defensive back to stop the 49ers. That could prove to be interesting.

Another area of concern for the Rams in Week 15 is the injuries to two starting offensive linemen - LT Alaric Jackson and C Beaux Limmer. That comes at a bad time, as the 49ers will be eager to put pressure on starting quarterback Matthew Stafford in this one.

San Francisco 49ers Injuries

• G Ben Bartch - Ankle - Out
• S Malik Mustafa - Chest/Shoulder - Out
• OT Trent Williams - Ankle - Out
• DE Nick Bosa - Hip - Questionable
• RB Isaac Gurendo - Foot - Questionable
• LB Dre Greenlaw - Achilles - Questionable
• DT Khalil Davis - Knee - Questionable

San Francisco 49ers Reserve Injured (IR)

• WR Brandon Aiyuk
• LB Tatum Bethune
• OL John Feliciano
• DL Kevin Givens
• DL Jason Hargrave
• CB Darrell Luter Jr.
• RB Jordan Mason
• RB Christian McCaffrey
• RB Elijah Mitchell
• S George Odum
• LB Curtis Robinson
• CB Ambry Thomas
• P Mitch Wishnowsky
• DL Drake Johnson (IR/PUP)

With three running backs on IR, plus starting WR Brandon Aiyuk, and DL Jason Hargrave, the 49ers have to be pleased to be 6-7 at this point in the season. But the most significant absence from the 49ers roster is offensive tackle Trent Williams. His backup will likely be OT Jaylon Moore, Moore has started in the past three games for the 49ers, and has done a respectable job, not allowing a single QB sack or committing a penalty in 184 offensive snaps this year.

While neither team is as healthy as they'd like to be, this rivalry always seems to bring out the best of every player.

Thanks for reading.

More Rams News and Analysis