49ers To Start Backup QB vs. Rams

The Rams can clinch a playoff berth on Sunday with a win and a Seattle Seahawks loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers later today.

DEC 24 LIONS CHRISTMAS PRESENT The Los Angeles Rams had their eyes on a few games this weekend in terms of playoff positioning.

One of those games was the NFC North matchup between the Lions and Vikings. A Lions win would give the Rams another leg up on the Vikings, and in the process give them the NFC North Title, and guarantee them a playoff spot. 

And that is exactly what happened for L.A., with Matthew Stafford's old team taking down the Vikings and sending them to 7-8, creating a two-game gap for the Rams. 

The Rams also hoped for the Falcons, Packers, an Seahawks to lose, which did not happen. But after a big win over the Commanders, they will take what they can get for this week. 

The Rams will also have their eyes on the Bears, who are currently ahead of the Arizona Cardinals. 

DEC 21 STAFFORD TO NACUA FOR FIRST BLOOD The Los Angeles Rams struck first on Thursday night after a drive that started deep in their own territory ended with a passing touchdown from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua on fourth and goal.

You can view the play below, one that gave Los Angeles the lead with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.

DEC 17 WILLIAMS FINDS THE ENDZONE The Los Angeles Rams found the endzone first against the Washington Commanders as Kyren Williams capped off a 10-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run to give L.A. an early 10-0 lead.

Williams' touchdown was just a continuation of a hot start as he has totaled 69 yards rushing on 11 carries after just three offensive drives for the Rams.

DEC 10 RAMS BACK IN FRONT The Los Angeles Rams struck first on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens with a field goal, but the Ravens responded later in the first half with a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead at home.

Then, the Rams put together another solid offensive drive, one that ended on a passing score from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp to reclaim the lead at 10-3. You can view the play below.

DEC 3 FIRST CAREER TD FOR ROBINSON The Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns were tied at 13 late in the third quarter, but a strong drive from Matthew Stafford and company put L.A. back in front.

Stafford found wideout Demarcus Robinson in the end zone from seven yards out to give the Rams the lead once again in the receivers first career touchdown. It marks Stafford's second passing touchdown of the day, and you can view the play below.

NOV 26 BACK IN FRONT The Los Angeles Rams trailed 8-7 in the early portions of the second quarter on Sunday, but that didn't last very long.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford connected with Tyler Higbee for a touchdown from five yards out, and L.A. reclaimed an early lead over its division rival Arizona Cardinals. This marked the second scoring connection for the duo on the day.

You can view the play below.

NOV 22 HENDERSON RE-SIGNED A day after cutting him, the Los Angeles Rams have brought back Darrell Henderson, this time though to the practice squad. 

The Rams announced the addition of Henderson via the team's official Twitter account on Wednesday hours after they designated fellow running back Kyren Williams for return from the injured reserve.

NOV 21 HENDERSON CUT The Los Angeles Rams have released running back Darrell Henderson Jr., clearing a spot on the 53-man roster for the return of Kyren Williams from the injured reserve.

Henderson was brought back to L.A. for his second stint with the team after Williams went down with an ankle injury in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old played in four games for the Rams before being cut, totaling 112 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 46 carries, as the Rams paired him with Royce Freeman to help fill the void of Williams.

However, following the breakout of Freeman in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks, where he rushed for 73 yards on 17 carries, Henderson was the odd man out for the Rams as they hope Williams will pick up where he left off prior to injury. 

NOV 19 GENO OUT Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has been knocked out of the game vs. the Los Angeles Rams after being hit in the backfield by defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Smith landed hard on his arm on the play and was taken into the blue medical tent for further evaluation with what appeared to be an upper-body injury on his throwing arm.

Smith has been replaced in the lineup by Drew Lock and is currently questionable to return. At the time of the injury, Smith had completed 19 of 29 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown.

Smith is currently questionable to return with what has been announced as an elbow injury.

NOV 14 NEW HOME The Rams are continuing to make Los Angeles their home despite having been back in the city since 2016. The Rams announced on Tuesday during a celebration at the Topanga Village that they will be moving to their new practice facility for the 2024 season, which will be located at the corner of West Oxnard Street and Canoga Avenue in Woodland Hills.

"This is a monumental day for the Los Angeles Rams as we can now call Woodland Hills and the City of Los Angeles our home, ..." Rams CEO Kevin Demoff said. "Since bringing the Rams home to Los Angeles, Stan Kroenke's commitment to this region is unmatched, and we are excited to expand our footprint and deepen our impact across the city."

The announcement comes after Rams owner Stan Kroenke acquired nearly 100 acres of land in the Woodland Hills area a year ago. 

NOV 13 SEAHAWKS FAVORED The Seattle Seahawks are coming off of a win on Sunday vs. the Washington Commanders, moving to 6-3 on the season, and in a tie on top of the NFC West. 

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams are coming off a bye week after dropping their third straight game in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Despite their vastly different trajectories, however, the Seahawks have opened up as only slight favorites over the Rams at -2.5. The over/under is set at 44.5.

The Rams and Seahawks will kick off on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.

NOV 9 HOW MUCH IS WENTZ PAID? Contract details have emerged for new Los Angeles Rams quarterback signee Carson Wentz.

According to Field Yates of ESPN, Wentz is receiving a base salary of $1.165 million paired with a signing bonus of $150,000. His salary, however, is prorated over the nine weeks left in the NFL season, so his total payout reaches $732,500. If he is cut, the Rams are only on the hook for the $150,000 signing bonus.

That's not a lot of money in the NFL quarterback market, but this is Wentz's first opportunity of the season after being released by the Washington Commanders, so he may take whatever he can get.

NOV 6 RYPIEN GONE After a disastrous start against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams waived backup quarterback Brett Rypien on Tuesday, according to reports.

In his lone start for the team, Rypien completed 13 of his 28 passes for 130 yards, with one interception. He also fumbled twice, one of which was lost to Green Bay.

The move comes shortly after the Rams signed veteran and former No. 2 overall draft pick Carson Wentz Tuesday afternoon. 

The Rams also made three additional moves on Tuesday, waiving running back Myles Gaskin and defensive tackle Cory Durden and releasing quarterback Dresser Winn.

NOV 5 PUKA’S RECORD Puka Nacua now holds the Rams rookie record for most receptions in a season (63). 

Nacua secured the mark on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, and the record was previously held by his teammate Cooper Kupp.

NOV 1 BABY MCVAY Rams head coach Sean McVay and his wife, Veronika Khomyn, have welcomed their first child into the world. ... and now they are showing off Baby McVay.

"So glad I got to meet my pumpkin a week early," Veronika writes on social media. "I don't think I could've waited any longer!! Our Halloween baby is a week old today already."

The photo being enjoyed by Khomyn and her 85,000 Instagram followers (and now by you)? Take a look at Jordan John McVay ...

OCT 29 RAMS SCORE After a disaster of a first half for the Los Angeles Rams against the Dallas Cowboys, in which they trailed 33-3 at one point in the second quarter, things are starting to look up for L.A.

Building off of their touchdown to end the first half, the Rams got into the end zone once again, with Matthew Stafford hitting Ben Skowronek for a touchdown. 

The Rams would then cash in on the two-point conversion as well, with Tutu Atwell passing to Stafford off of a reverse to convert the try.

The Rams now trail 33-17 early in the third quarter.

OCT 25 BABY MCVAY ARRIVES After a couple of weeks of suspense, the son of Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay and his wife Veronika Khomyn was born on Wednesday evening, per a tweet from the team's official Twitter account. 

"Delivered Jordan John McVay," the Rams' Twitter account wrote. 

The newest addition of the McVay family kept his father's promise when Sean told the media ahead of the Rams' 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that his son "knows better" than to be born during a game. 

OCT 24 MAHER RELEASED After a gutwrenching 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams have released kicker Brett Maher, the team announced. 

Maher was a major reason behind the loss to the Steelers, after missing two field goals and an extra point, which if made, would have potentially been the difference in the game. 

Before Sunday, Maher was 16 of 20 (80 percent) on the season and was a perfect 4 of 4 in the Rams win over the Cardinals the week before. 

Maher has been known to have his issues in the kick game before, however, making just 66 percent of his kicks in 2019 before being released by the Dallas Cowboys.

OCT 20 HENDERSON ACTIVE After losing their top two backs to injuries last week vs. the Arizona Cardinals, the Los Angeles Rams signed veterans Darrell Henderson and Myles Gaskin this week. 

Now, Henderson has been promoted to the active roster and could see action on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sean McVay said Friday. 

Rookie Zach Evans was expected to see the majority of carries heading into the week but with Henderson familiar with the offense, that could change. 

I liked what I saw from all four (running backs)," Sean McVay. "Darrell (Henderson) came back in. He's a guy that's going to be up and active this week. He's done a great job of being able to quickly re-acclimate himself back to a lot of the things that we've done. He is taken good care of himself."

OCT 18 CARDINALS ACTIVATE MURRAY AND BAKER The Arizona Cardinals could have two key starters return on Sunday when they travel to Lumen Field and take on the Seattle Seahawks. According to Ari Meirov, the Cardinals have designated both quarterback Kyler Murray and safety Budda Baker for return from the injured reserve Wednesday.

Murray, the former No. 1 overall pick, later confirmed this report via his own Twitter account that he would be returning to practice for the first time since being sidelined with a torn ACL in the Cardinals' Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots last season. 

Additionally, Baker is set to return from a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice just a few days before the Cardinals' Week 2 loss to the New York Giants. 

OCT 15 HEKKER HEADBUTT Former Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker is going viral on Sunday afternoon, after headbutting Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Goode. 

The incident occurred with 9:55 to go in the fourth quarter, with the game already well in hand for Miami. The Panthers would go on to lose 42-21.

Hekker, who is in his second year with the Panthers, is averaging 48.3 yards per punt.

Hekker spent 10 years with the Rams both in St. Louis and Los Angeles, averaging 46.7 yards per punt. 

OCT 11 PRACTICE SQUAD ADDITION After promoting Austin Trammel to the 53-man roster last week, the Los Angeles Rams filled the vacant spot on their practice with second-year linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi, according to the team's Twitter account.

Fatukasi, the former Rutgers Scarlet Knight, has already spent time with four different teams prior to joining the Rams' practice squad despite just being in his second season as a professional.

After spending last season as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster, where he played in 13 games, he bounced around last offseason, spending time with the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs, most recently before he was cut.

OCT 8 STAFFORD TO TUTU The Los Angeles Rams might not have gotten off to an ideal start on Sunday vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, falling into an early 7-0 hole. 

However, with the newly restored Cooper Kupp back in the lineup, the Rams were able to even things up rather quickly, with Kupp helping to lead a response scoring drive, ending with a Tutu Atwell touchdown catch from Matthew Stafford. 

Already in the first quarter vs. Philadelphia, Kupp has five receptions for 56 yards on six targets, while Stafford has completed 7 of 10 passes for 65 yards.

OCT 6 KUPP RETURN OFFICIAL The Los Angeles Rams fans got fantastic news on Friday, with coach Sean McVay announcing that star wide receiver Cooper Kupp will officially return to the lineup vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. 

Kupp has missed the team's first four games after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury but returned to practice on Wednesday.

"He said he's feeling really good," McVay told the media Wednesday. "I trust him. He's a guy that really knows his body really well, very experienced player and so there'll be an ongoing dialogue."

Kupp missed the majority of last season with an injury as well. 

In replacement of Kupp, rookie Puka Nacua has become a league-wide sensation, leading the NFL in receptions (39) and targets (52). He also ranks third in the league in receiving yards with 501. 

OCT 1 KYREN EARLY TDs Kyren Williams has his second touchdown of the day as the Rams lead the Colts early, 14-0 ... and this is the running back's third multi-TD game in the first four weeks of the season. 

How'd they look?

Something like that ... as the post-Cam Akers era seems to be working out just fine for the surprisingly competitive Rams.

OCT 1 INACTIVES RELEASED As the Los Angeles Rams are under an hour away from kickoff in Lucas Oil Stadium, where they will play the Indianapolis Colts, they have released their inactive list.

• LT Alaric Jackson

• RB Zach Evans

• OL Zach Thomas

• DE Earnest Brown

SEPT 25 NOTEBOOM INJURED The Los Angeles Rams may have suffered a big loss in the third quarter of their Monday Night Football matchup vs. the Bengals. 

With just two minutes to go in the third quarter and trailing 16-9, Rams offensive line Joe Noteboom was forced to exit the game with an apparent upper-body injury. 

Noteboom immediately headed to the locker room with the training staff.

With Noteboom out, Tremayne Anchrum came in at guard. 

On his first play in replacement of Noteboom, Anchrum was called for a personal foul, stopping the Rams drive in its tracks.

Noteboom has since returned to the lineup. 

SEPT 25 RAMS ACTIVATE FREEMAN Just ahead of their Monday Night Football matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Los Angeles Rams have made a pair of moves to fill their game-day roster. 

Chief among those moves is the elevation of running back Royce Freeman, who will likely serve as the backup to Kyren Williams after the trade of Cam Akers.

The Rams also elevated wide receiver Austin Trammell to the active roster.

SEPT 14 RAMS SIGN RYPIEN In the wake of the loss of rookie backup quarterback Stetson Bennett to the Reserve/NFI list on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Rams have signed Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster. 

Rypien will serve as the primary backup to Matthew Stafford for the team's Week 2 matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

The 26-year-old Rypien, who starred at Boise State en route to winning Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, has appeared in eight professional games with three starts, holding a 2-1 record.

Rypien has completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 778 yards and four touchdowns across 130 attempts, but he's also tossed eight interceptions.

SEPT 8 RAMS MISSING 3 IN WEEK 1 Like what head coach Sean McVay announced Wednesday, the Los Angeles Rams will be without the services of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, quarterback Stetson Bennett and tight end Hunter Long in the season-opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

There's a possibility that Kupp goes on the injured reserve.

Offensive lineman Brian Allen and wide receiver Van Jefferson both did not practice Friday to rest before Sunday.

The Seahawks will be without safety Jamal Adams and running back Kenny McIntosh. Guard Damien Lewis and cornerback Devon Witherspoon are both listed as questionable with a shoulder and hamstring injuries, respectively.

Seattle had nine other players listed on Friday's injury report that will play: linebackers Jordyn Brooks, Boye Mafe, Derick Hall and Darrell Taylor, wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cody Thompson, running back Kenneth Walker III, nose tackle Jarran Reed and defensive end Mike Morris. Only Walker was limited in practice Friday with a groin injury.

SEPT 8 KUPP TO IR? The Los Angeles Rams played a good portion of last season without arguably their top offensive weapon in receiver Cooper Kupp.

And now, it seems as though the 2023 season could begin in a similar way. 

According to Rams coach Sean McVay, Kupp could be one of three players, alongside rookie QB Stetson Bennett and tight end Hunter Long, that could end up being designated to the injured reserve list.

McVay described the chance to lose all three players as a 'definite possibility.' Should the players be designated to IR, they would be forced to miss at least four games. 

AUG 30 RAMS SIGN KICKER The Los Angeles Rams have reportedly found the solution to their kicker problem. 

Per reports, the Rams are signing former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher, who the Denver Broncos recently released after he finished the preseason making four of his six field goal attempts without missing any extra points. 

Maher, 33, lost his job in Dallas after making just one of his five extra-point attempts in the Cowboys' wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. He will be looking to rebuild his reputation in Los Angeles as a reliable kicker.

AUG 30 BEARS CLAIM EX RAM The Chicago Bears have claimed former Los Angeles Rams safety Quindell Johnson off the waiver wire, according to a report from Ian Rapoport. This makes Johnson the first player whom the Rams cut to have been claimed by another team, thus preventing L.A. from bringing him back on their practice squad.

Johnson, the undrafted rookie out of Memphis, played well in his final preseason appearance for the Rams against the Denver Broncos, recording eight tackles, one sack, and a pass breakup. Yet, even with his strong preseason finale, it didn't prove enough to see him make the 53-man roster in L.A.

AUG 27 RAMS ADDING OL In an attempt to add to their offensive line depth, the Los Angeles Rams are trading for Steelers guard Kevin Dotson, according to reports from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. 

Dotson has spent the last three seasons with the Steelers, playing in 39 games, and starting 30. Dotson played in and started all 17 of the Steelers' games in 2022. 

The Cowboys sent a fourth-round pick back to San Francisco in exchange for the former No. 3 overall pick. 

AUG 26 49ERS TRADE LANCE The San Francisco 49ers completed one of the most shocking moves of the summer on Saturday night when they traded quarterback Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys. 

The Cowboys sent a fourth-round pick back to San Francisco in exchange for the former No. 3 overall pick. 

A source tells us that Dallas sees the former No. 3 overall pick, still just 23, as a "prospect'' - and not a threat to the organizational plans for Dak Prescott. A "dart,'' as our Mike Fisher terms it.

And for now at least, it seems clear that the 49ers have pushed all of their chips in on Brock Purdy, who should be under center when the Rams take on San Francisco for the first time in Week 2

AUG 24 CARDINALS TRADE ISAIAH SIMMONS The Arizona Cardinals are trading their linebacker/safety hybrid Isaiah Simmons to the New York Giants, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

In exchange for the former first-round NFL Draft pick, the Cardinals will get the Giants' 2024 seventh-round pick, as Simmons will play the final year of his rookie deal in New York. 

Simmons played in all 17 games for the Cardinals last season, totaling 99 tackles, five for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble.

AUG 18 ROBERT QUINN ARRESTED Former Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn was arrested in South Carolina on Friday morning and was booked in Dorchester County jail on assault and hit and run charges, per TMZ Sports.

Per the report, Quinn has been accused of "crashing into four cars, a light post and a gate" before fleeing from the scene.

Quinn, 33, was originally drafted No. 14 overall by the then-St. Louis Rams in the 2011 draft. He played with the team until 2017 after the Rams had made the move to Los Angeles. In 169 career games, he's posted 102 sacks.

AUGUST 14 RAMS CUT LECOUNTE The Los Angeles Rams announced on Monday afternoon that they have waived safety Richard LeCounte after Saturday's preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

LeCounte, the third-year safety out of the University of Georgia, struggled in the preseason opener, earning a 35.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus after giving up two receptions and a touchdown while recording three tackles. 

LeCounte's departure from the Rams isn't necessarily a surprise as he was viewed as a longshot to make the 53-man roster, especially after L.A. brought back John Johnson III. 

Meanwhile, coach Sean McVay is acknowledging the possibility of adding help at defensive tackle and outside linebacker.

AUGUST 7 RAMS RE-SIGN JOHNSON The Los Angeles Rams bolstered their secondary with a familiar face by signing safety John Johnson on Monday, per Rams beat writer Jake Ellenbogen

A 2017 third-round pick, Johnson spent the first four years of his career with the Rams, starting 48 of the 54 games he played. In that time, he recorded 350 total tackles, 32 passes defended and eight interceptions.

Johnson left in 2021 to sign a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns, where he continued to put up solid numbers over the past two seasons. Despite his strong play, the Browns released him in March for cap reasons and he has been a free agent ever since. Now Johnson returns to where his career begin as a veteran presence for the Rams' young secondary.

AUGUST 5 RAMS SIGN TE  The Los Angeles Rams signed some tight end depth on Saturday morning, adding Florida State standout, Camren McDonald.

McDonald had 21 receptions for 312 yards and one touchdown in 2022 with the Seminoles.