Rams inactives list for Week 15 Thursday Night Football game against the 49ers

There is no doubt that every player on the LA Rams roster, and the San Francisco 49ers roster for that matter, wants to compete in Week 15. After all, what fun is it for a professional athlete to sit on the bench, watching teammates and friends compete in a football game? Professional athletes are competitive and want to be in a game, doing everything in their power to help their team.

But the NFL limits the number of players who can suit up each week. And so, every team must name those player who will be inactive for game day.

It's always a delicate balance of now vs then. A weakened player can help now, but he could benefit from sitting out and healing fully. The thing is, with four games to go, there is less benefit to healing fully. So expect most of the players listed in the final injury report with questionable status to suit up for Thursday Night Football.

There is a healthy respect from Rams fans for the 49ers. Not fear, and certainly not love, but respect. Fans have witnessed how the Rams, even with an advantage in health and a superior roster, has mysteriously fallen to the 49ers in the past. But momentum may be swinging the Rams way now, slowly but surely. The Rams have won the last two games, the Rams have a better record, and the Rams are the underdog.

If the Rams players want to earn the respect of the NFL, they know what they must do. Beat the 49ers.

Inactives list for Rams in Week 15 (Official)

• OL Dylan McMahon
• DB Cobie Durant
• OLB Brennan Jackson
• RB Cody Schrader
• OL Warren McClendon Jr.
• QB Stetson Bennett

Inactives list for 49ers in Week 15 (Official)

• QB Joshua Dobbs
• OT Trent Williams
• DL Khalil Davis
• CB Rock Ya-Sin
• DB Malik Mustafa
• RB Israel Abanikanda

We know that LB Dre Greenlaw has already been rumored to suit up for this one. That comes as no surprise, as 49ers players have a notorious habit of getting healthy just in time to face the Rams. And right on cue, here is more 49ers roster news that many Niners fans have been eager to read.

The official inactive players names will be announced by the Rams social media account:

Inactive lists have been updated with the official inactives report

Now, what does this all mean?

Key Absences and Their Impact

Offensive Impact

• With Tyler Higbee remaining on the bench, there is less probability for the Rams to game plan significant contributions from the tight ends. Despite 45 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 3 seeing two tight ends, the offense merely targeted TE Colby Parkinson five times with three catches for 21 yards.
• The same Rams offense that put up 44 points in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills must prove that last week was no fluke. That may be a difficult task against a 49er defense that is oh-so-familiar with the Rams offense.
• Rams RB Kyren Williams has already rushed for 1000+ yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, with four games to go. The Rams would love to get solid production from Williams and the running game. The team has great success when Williams plays well.

Defensive Impact

• The same Rams defense that gave up 44 points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 14 must regroup in five days to face the 49ers offense. Worse yet, the defense must do so without arguably their best cornerback, Cobie Durant. Look for newly-acquired DB Emmanuel Forbes to debut in Week 15.
• Despite getting plenty of QB pressure, this defense struggled to sack Bills QB Josh Allen. I think the pass rush shows up in this game. Look for at least three different Rams to record a quarterback sack in Week 15.
• Can the team create turnovers? When the Rams do, great things happen. In Week 14, it was a blocked punt that turned into a touchdown and the margin of victory. I like the Rams to force a turnover in this one, which could be the key to a win.

Special Teams Impact

• Xavier Smith had an incredible punt return in Week 3 to set up the Rams for a game-winning field goal. Look for him to show up in this one too.
• The Rams have been happy with punter Ethan Evans. Evans's overall gross punting average is down from 2023, but his accuracy and coffin-kicks are way up. Look for him to be a factor in this one
• Rookie kicker Joshua Karty kicked the game-winner in Week 3. I think he returns from the ashes of fan anger to have a great game.

The Rams must continue to play fundamentally sound football in Week 15. I think they do.

LA Rams vs San Francisco 49ers, game time details:

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
Time: 5:15 pm PT
Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Channel: Streaming live on Amazon Prime

As always, thanks for reading.

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