Rams' injury roundup isn't pretty as Jaylen Watson and others join growing list

The Los Angeles Rams' on-paper Super Bowl roster lost more key pieces in Sunday's crushing loss to the Denver Broncos. Injuries are becoming a serious problem.

Starting cornerback Jaylen Watson left on a cart with a shoulder injury. Emmanuel Forbes came in and reminded Rams fans why he isn't a starter. 

Tight end Terrance Ferguson aggravated an ankle injury that popped up during the week, forcing him to leave the game briefly and then for good after he got up limping a second time following his only catch of the day. 

Colby Parkinson, nursing a knee injury from Week 2, played but didn't look himself. Right guard Kevin Dotson briefly left the game but returned almost immediately. Watson, especially, will be one to monitor, both because of his injury's relative severity and his positional importance. 

And all that is on top of existing issues to Puka Nacua (groin) and safety Kam Kinchens (hamstring) plus Myles Garrett and company on injured reserve. That on-paper roster is being put through the shredder. 

Rams' injuries becoming urgent concern for multiple positions

The good news is that, per head coach Sean McVay last week, the Rams expect Nacua to return against the Eagles in Week 4. Davante Adams and Konata Mumpfield stepped up in his absence - Adams is apparently aging backwards - but with Ferguson and Parkinson banged up, the offense is running out of reliable targets.

Receiver Jordan Whittington returned from a quad injury but played only 21 offensive snaps, 24 percent of the total, versus 25 snaps (41 percent) in Week 1. He could still be managing residual effects. 

We'll have to see on Kinchens, whose injury becomes even more important with Watson's status in question. Although the numbers say Watson has struggled in coverage, his importance to the secondary was on full display during his absence. In part that's due to just how inadequate Forbes is as a replacement.

On IR, Garrett's timetable has been set at six weeks. That suggests he could be back as soon as Week 7 against the Raiders, but it might be more realistic to expect a return no earlier than the week after, just to be safe. The Rams have emphasized wanting him to return at full strength. 

With guard Justin Dedich and rookie tackle Keagen Trost also on IR, Dotson's brief absence was especially concerning given the lack of offensive-line depth. Beaux Limmer came in to replace him, not a welcome sight to many a Rams fan after Limmer's poor play in limited reps last season.

For now, running back Ronnie Rivers is the only other member of the 53-man roster on injured reserve. Hopefully Watson's injury isn't anything that will hold him out long. Forbes already gave us a glimpse of what that looks like. Better keep our eyes shut until Watson returns.

McVay did not offer an update on anyone in his short-lived post-game media session. 

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