Multiple injuries already put players in danger of getting leapfrogged at camp

So you want to know the good and the bad of the Los Angeles Rams as training camp gets underway, eh? Well, we've shared plenty of positives and some negatives from the first week of training camp. But as much. But it's as good a time as any to enlighten you, our readers, as to some of the minor injuries that have taken place.

You are already aware of the updates that have reported out of training camp regarding the back soreness of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, and the medical condition from his past that is afflicting left tackle Alaric Jackson. Both veterans now face serious questions to starting Week 1 against the Houston Texans. But now we have learned of other minor injuries.

But both veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and rookie inside linebacker Pooh Paul Jr. have suffered calf injuries. Those injuries have prompted the team to hold both out of practices. Rams HC Sean McVay described the decision to hold out Paul Jr. as 'just being smart' while he categorized the same decision to hold out Witherspoon as being a day-to-day decision.

Are injuries something to worry about at this stage?

While it's not Armageddon, the fact of the matter is that the Rams are impacted by every injury that occurs throughout the season. As soon as someone is unable to participate in training camp drills, coaches send someone else to take his place. Since training camp is about vetting the best 53 players to remain on the Rams roster, players with more evidence stand a better chance over those who have less evidence.

For veterans, injuries in training camp are nothing more than a hiccup. Players who have been there, done that, know what training camp is all about, and their presence and participation is less about delivering personal performance and more about synchronizing with one another. Call it football choreography for lack of a better term.

It's also a matter of momentum. Rookies who need to make an instant positive impression on the coaches cannot afford to miss out at any opportunity. If you recall, former nose tackle Bobby Brown III was injured early in his rookie season, and needed several seasons to finally catch up. So missing time in training camp for Pooh Paul Jr. simply allows other linebackers like rookie Shaun Dolac or even veteran Troy Reeder to establish themselves as front-runners to start alongside Nate Landman.

Likewise, the absence of Ahkello Witherspoon has placed the training camp spotlight on Emmanuel Forbes and Cobie Durant, both of whom are making plenty of solid plays in this new golden opportunity.

And the spotlight is not limited to obvious position battles. Left tackle DJ Humphries is getting praised by Rams OC Mike LaFleur. And veteran backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett are taking advantage of additional reps by getting plenty of oohs and ahhs from the coaches and fans.

Multiple injuries already put players in danger of getting leapfrogged at camp. But the Rams roster is deep enough so far that it merely serves to fuel heated competition. As always, thanks for reading.

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