LA Rams first joint practice with the Chargers was a two strike performance

It's not how you start the season for the LA Rams. Rather, it's how you finish it. That is where Rams fans must place their faith right now, because as the offseason has gone with the first joint practice checked off, neither the Rams offense nor the Rams defense is particularly sharp or effective right now. That has some fans concerned.

It was never going to be an easy and gentle offseason. With injuries to four starters on offense (Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Rob Havenstein, and Tyler Higbee) and a completely refurbished defense under new Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula, even a team that has taken training camp as far as possible has a lot of ground to cover before the season starts.

Strike I - One starter gets banged up, another out for precautions

When it rains, it pours.

Once again, fans must contend with the uncertainty and disappointment of another injury to a key starter. This time, the victim was none other than last season's star rookie, Puka Nacua. Of course, due to the nature of joint practices, players who suffer even minor injuries are pulled off the football field and evaluated.

Based on the on-the-spot report from The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue, Nacua suffered a knee injury. He did return to the sidelines, still in uniform, with a bag of ice wrapped around the injured knee:

While no confirmation of the severity of the injury is available yet, the return of Nacua to the sidelines, still in uniform, suggests that the injury is more likely superficial than an injury to soft tissue. Of course, after the team has suffered multiple injuries already, any additional injuries elevate the overall concern and anxiousness of fans for the team as a whole.

Rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske, who has had a dominating training camp so far, was pulled from joint practice today as a precaution as he has developed a large blister due to his very agile and physical style of play. No other information is currently available, but I would suspect that he will simply be managed in terms of exertion and duration of workload until the site fully heals.

Strike II - Offense malaise and overall sloppiness

The injury to Puka Nacua, while disappointing in the midst of a number of offensive starters injuries, was not the biggest disappointment of the day. Per LA Sports Report author James Brizuela, the Rams overall effort during the day, particularly that of the offense, was riddled with interceptions and tipped balls:

"The Rams and Chargers are engaging in a joint practice there, and the Chargers' defense was dominating the day on Sunday.

A host of turnovers via interceptions and tipped balls led to the Rams having a less-than-stellar day. Even worse? Nacua was seemingly injured during the practice"

- James Brizuela

With a very young and under-experienced defense taking the football field for the team in 2024, the Rams hoped that any hopes to a hot start for the season must come from a capable high-powered offense. While that could yet be the case, the offense is clearly sputtering for now,

Per an observational report from the joint practice by Rams Senior Reporter Stu Jackson, the offense allowed at least three giveaways. Starting QB Matthew Stafford threw two interceptions that were deflected by one Los Angeles Chargers defensive back and picked off by another in the area. Another giveaway happened when rookie RB Blake Corum caught a Stafford pass, but fumbled the football as he pivoted to advance the football.

Not all is woe with the Rams at joint practices

The tone of the initial reports seems to be awfully one-sided. In truth, they were. Bad news travels fast, and the early reports from reporters on site tend to reference the most alarming details of the joint practice to capture the attention and focus of readers. Just to reassure readers, keep in mind that the Rams have three of five backup offensive linemen starting against the top players of the Los Angeles Chargers. Even if they are called to step in during the season, they will have a month to get up to speed.

Additionally, the joint practices, just like training camp sessions, are ready-made laboratories for veterans like Matthew Stafford to see what his tolerance thresholds for tight windows and separation must be in order to complete passes when the regular season starts. I would not be overly alarmed at turnovers from him.

I would keep rookie RB Blake Corum's turnover on your radar. If he hopes to have a significant role in 2024, then he will need to manage ball security.

All in all, the Rams' first joint practice was exactly as expected. A mixed bag is great stuff for coaches to use in future practice sessions. And with the Rams' schedule packed with events for the upcoming week, we will have another opportunity to see whether any progress has been made

• Sunday, August 4 - @ Los Angeles Chargers - Completed
• Thursday, August 8 - @ Dallas Cowboys

Preseason games this week

While fans will not need to wait long to see evidence of how well the team is doing, as the first preseason game is merely one week away.

• Week 1, Aug. 11: Dallas Cowboys | 1:30 pm PT | NFL Network

We have a lot to unpack this week as the second joint practice and first preseason game is now firmly on the horizon. But as a special treat, I will not let your day end on a downbeat. There are plenty of promising performances and plays from the LA Rams in this joint practice with the Chargers. Stay tuned as that will be up soon.

And as always, thanks for reading.