Final LA Rams injury report for Week 3 will certainly test roster depth

There's never good news when LA Rams fans peer into the latest week's Rams Injuries report. But Week 3 is particularly disheartening. Not just from the names of the players who appear on the injury list, but on the number of injured players who have already fallen. After all, this is only Week 3, and only two games have been played.

So far, the Rams roster is really not showing many signs of durability.

That's a problem. A big problem for now. You see, the Rams are unable to play star WR Cooper Kupp nor second year tight end Davis Allen. So in addition to the teams bursting IR list, the Rams are also facing a vital game against their NFC West Divisional nemesis, the San Francisco 49ers, without more than half of their starting offense, and a secondary that is nothing more than a patchwork group hoping to pass this monumental task.

The LA Rams finally snapped the regular season losing streak in 2023, defeating the 49ers in the last game of the season, despite sitting all of the team's starters. Well, apparently that was a dress rehearsal, because the team will be without nearly half their originally projected starters in this one.

While that typically could mean another lopsided loss, the San Francisco 49ers are limping into this game as well. While they are not nearly as banged up as the Rams roster, they could be without RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, WR Deebo Samuel, rookie WR Ricky Pearsall, and even backup RB Elijah Mitchell.

So this is definitely a game between two teams who are NOT at their healthiest.

So who is out for these two NFC West powerhouse teams? Pack a lunch, because this is a long list:

IR Physically Unable to Perform (IR/PUP)

• TE Tyler Higbee - Eligible to return Week 5 (1)

IR Designated to Return (IR)

• OT KT Leveston - Eligible to return Week 5 (2)
• DT Larrell Murchison - Eligible to return Week 5 (3)

Reserve Injured (IR)

• C/G Steve Avila - Eligible to return Week 6 (4)
• C/G Jonah Jackson - Eligible to return Week 8 (5)
• DB John Johnson III - Eligible to return Week 8 (6)
• DB Derion Kendrick (Out for the season) (7)
• OT Conor McDermott - Eligible to return Week 5 (8)
• WR Puka Nacua - Eligible to return Week 6 (8)
• OT Joe Noteboom - Eligible to return Week 6 (10)
• DB Tre Tomlinson - (Out for the season) (11)
• DB Darious Williams - Eligible to return Week 5 (12)

Rams Injuries

• TE Davis Allen - Back- Out
• WR Cooper Kupp - Ankle - Out
• CB Cobie Durant - Toe - Questionable
• DT Bobby Brown III - Anke - Questionable
• K Joshua Karty - Groin - Questionable

With the LA Rams facing the 49ers without their two top wide receivers and starting tight end, you have to believe the team would emphasize their running attack. At least, that is where the front office seemed to invest in the offseason. With tight ends and running backs galore, I would run, run, run the ball.

So you can expect the Rams not to do that.

But the Rams are lacking Stafford's 'go to,' guys, so if the team emphasizes the pass, it could be a long afternoon for the Rams once more. The Rams are in luck on defense. Despite the team rolling along at the bottom of NFL defensive rankings, they can reclaim some respect if they manage to shut down a toothless 49efs offense.

Just check out who the 49ers may be playing without in Week 3:

49ers Injuries

• WR Deebo Samuel - Calf - Out
• TE George Kittle - Hamstring - Doubtful
• DE Nick Bosa - Rib - Questionable
• CB Charvarius Ward - Hamstring - Questionable

49ers Reserve Injured (IR)

• DL Khalil Davis
• OL Joe Feliciano
• RB Christian McCaffrey
• RB Elijah Mitchell
• CB Ambry Thomas
• IR/NFI WR Ricky Pearsall
• IR/PUP LB Dre Greenlaw
• IR/PUP DL Drake Jacskon

On paper, these two teams appear to be heading for a 7-3 final score. But don't let that fool you. Both teams know one another very well. While I don't believe that this one will get close to a shootout, I do believe that both offenses will find some way to score.

Hopefully, the LA Rams will find a way to score more. As always, thanks for reading.