Rams can't use injuries as an excuse against equally banged up Eagles

The Los Angeles Rams will be missing their fair share of key contributors for Sunday's tilt in Philadelphia, but so will the Eagles (and most of the other 30 teams). In other words, tough luck.

Actually, the Eagles' injury report is at least as significant as the Rams'. Those ruled out for Week 4 include: star receiver DeVonta Smith, the team's top option this season; 2024 All-Pro linebacker Zach Baun; starting safety Marcus Epps; and tight end Dallas Goedert. 

Guard Landon Dickerson, a four-time Pro Bowler, is on injured reserve. Of course, the Rams have the Holy Grail of IR occupants in Myles Garrett, among others. So Philly has nothing on them there. 

Also out for the game are missing cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder), defensive lineman Aaron Donald (back soreness), and tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle). Colby Parkinson is questionable with knee and shoulder injuries. On the bright side, receiver Puka Nacua and safety Kam Kinchens are both good to go.

That should just about cover it.

Rams won't get free pass in Philly despite persistent injuries

Who wins the title of most bruised, banged up, and star-smitten? Call it a toss-up. In the end, no one else cares if your team lost because of injuries.

The record is the record. Your problem is not mine. Because in the NFL, injuries are everyone's. 

The Rams can improve on plenty from last week no matter who takes the field. Yes, Watson's injury dragged down the secondary in the second half against the Broncos, but it can't explain the overall sloppiness and lack of basic communication.

The blown assignments. Running into teammates in the end zone. Sorry, Emmanuel Forbes, it's impossible to unsee..

The Eagles come in with a different kind of edge after being trounced by the Bears and QB3 Case Keenum on Monday Night Football, 27-7. Ironically, the same score as LA's own humiliating loss in Week 1.

If there's a desperate team in this one, though, it clearly has to be the Rams. Or should be. The Eagles are 2-1 in a competitive but flawed division. 

LA is 1-2 in the NFC West, which features the 3-0 Niners and reigning champion Seahawks. We'd bring up the schedule, but then the Birds might have it just as rough there, too. 

Eagles come in with a chip on their own shoulders

Both teams and fanbases will view Week 4 as a must-win chance for redemption after deflating Week 3 performances. The Eagles offense is underwhelming yet again, and their fans are never impressed anyway. 

Being down Smith, who's averaging 78 receiving yards and nine targets per game, won't help. In fact, his absence will be downright massive for a Watson-less Rams secondary that can now home in on Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon. 

As for the Horns, every game feels like a gotta-have-it with how the year has started. Where's that Lombardi Trophy already? Turns out it was made of paper mache and blew away on the flight to Australia. 

Players and the coaches know what's what. If there's an industry defined by the next man up mentality, the NFL is it. Injured or not, the Rams aren't asking to have anything handed to them, and it sure as heck won't be in Philadelphia this week.

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