Rams final injury report provides fans with plenty of essential information

Depending on your perspective, things may be looking up for the LA Rams. At least, you could come to that conclusion when considering a series of recent developments with the Rams roster. And after a thrilling, edge-of-your-seats victory in Week 7 over the Las Vegas Raiders, it seems fitting that the team has the sense of renewed, if not subdued, optimism as the team pivots to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8.

Early injuries means mid-season reinforcement, and right now that is what the LA Rams and fans are counting on. One positive development is the change in the status of second-year wide receiver Puka Nacua. Injured in Week 1, he has been designated for return. And that is very welcome news indeed.

Of course, I would not hold the team to the standard of playing him in Week 8. While the team has him practicing with the team once more, reinserting him into the roster in time to suit up to face the Vikings would trigger a cascade of subsequent roster moves to make room. I don't believe the team is prepared to do so, particularly with confirmed rumors of the team actively shopping Cooper Kupp.

Speaking of veteran WR Cooper Kupp, he appears good to go thanks to the final Week 8 injury report. But if he is the topic of trade discussions, why are the Rams asking him to play on Thursday Night Football? The answer is a bit mercenary. The team will turn the national stage of TNF into a showcase for WR Cooper Kupp, and prove to all other NFL teams currently in the market for a wide receiver that he is not only healthy, but quite capable of putting up huge yards in a huge games:

Vikings Injuries

• LB Blake Cashman - Toe- Out
• CB Akayleb Evans - Hip - Questionable
• TE T.J. Hockerman - Knee - Questionable
• OG Dalton Risner - Back - Questionable

IR Physically Unable to Perform (IR/PUP)

• TE T.J. Hockerman

IR Designated to Return (IR)

• OLB Gabriel Murphy
• OG Dalton Risner

* Both T.J. Hockerman and Dalton Risner appear in the Minnesota Vikings final injury report.

Vikings Reserve Injured (IR)

• CB Mekhi Blackmon
• OL Jeremy Flax
• WB J.J. McCarthy
• LB Jordan Kunaszyk
• TE Nick Muse
• CB Najee Thompson

While the mid-season point of the season is typically the point in time when healthier teams begin to pull away from more-injured NFL teams, the Vikings are positioned to do exactly that. A win in Week 8 puts pressure on the Detroit Lions to follow suit with a win. The Vikings also get a bit of extra rest before suiting up to compete in Week 9.

Rams Injuries

IR Physically Unable to Perform (IR/PUP)

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

IR Designated to Return (IR)

• OT KT Leveston
• WR Puka Nacua

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)
• DT Larrell Murchison
• OL Joe Noteboom
• DB Tre Tomlinson - (Out for the season) (11)

* Both Puka Nacua and Joe Noteboom appear in the LA Rams final injury report

Rams Injuries

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

• ILB Troy Reeder - Hamstring - Out
• WR Jordan Whittington - Shoulder - Out
• OL Joe Noteboom - Ankle - Out
• DE Braden Fiske - Back - Questionable
• NT Neville Gallimore - Shoulder - Questionable
• WR Puka Nacua - Knee - Questionable

While the fans will not be happy to see that rookie standout Jordan Whittington is rule out for Week 8, there is certainly a sigh of relief among fans to see that controversial ILB Troy Reeder is out for this contest. With a hamstring injury, he may be out for multiple weeks.

While nobody wants to see a player injured, it's impossible to deny that many fans have lobbied hard for a change at the inside linebacker position.

Does that create an opportunity for either ILB Omar Speights or Jake Hummel to start, and perhaps claim a starting role on this defense if either delivers an impressive performance? If someone does, they certainly deserve to start. Much like IOL Beaux Limmer sliding in to start at center, if a rookie can perform at or above expectations, he deserves to extend his starting role.

Despite a record of 2-4, the LA Rams are one of the NFL's most exciting teams this season, if only for the dramatic roster decisions that seem to queue up each and every week. Win or lose, the intricate weekly decisions hold plenty of intrigue and entertainment for all but the most demanding fans.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

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