When the Rams return from a brief break for their bye week, the Los Angeles backfield should be close to full strength.
Rams coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford will be ready to return from a thumb injury that forced him to sit out last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Running back Kyren Williams, on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, is one week behind Stafford and targeting to play Week 12.
“Feel really good about Matthew, and how much he’s attacked doing everything in his power to be back and to lead the way for this team,” McVay said.
Potential insurance could be landing in Los Angeles during the bye week in the form of Carson Wentz. Wentz, a free agent since the end of the 2022 season, played for three teams in three seasons but interest was tepid in bringing him in as a free agent.
Wentz spent 2022 with the Washington Commanders and has also played for the Eagles and Colts. He turns 31 on Dec. 30.
His tenure in Washington ended with a three-interception game against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 1.
Wentz said in September he began working out with former NFL head coach Jon Gruden to work his way back to form.
The Rams (3-6) return from this week’s bye to face the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19. The Rams defeated Seattle 30-13 in Week 1. Williams is first eligible to return from IR the following week at Arizona. The Rams beat the Cardinals, 26-9, in Week 6.
Williams remains the team’s leading rusher by a considerable margin with 456 yards on 97 carries and six touchdowns. He last played in the Oct. 15 win over the Cardinals and rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Stafford was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his throwing thumb after making contact with a helmet while throwing in the 43-20 loss to the Cowboys on Oct. 29.
Stafford, 35, has thrown for 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games this season.
Backup quarterback Brett Rypien replaced Stafford against the Cowboys after he was injured and completed 5 of 10 passes for 42 yards. He started Sunday’s game against the Packers and was 13 of 28 for 130 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.
The Rams waived Rypien on Tuesday from the active squad and released quarterback Dresser Winn from the practice squad. Rypien, 27, was in his first season with Los Angeles after appearing in eight games (three starts) for the Denver Broncos from 2020-22. For his career, he is 98 of 168 for 950 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions.
In other moves, Los Angeles waived defensive tackle Cory Durden and running back Myles Gaskin from the active roster.
–Field Level Media
