The Los Angeles Rams have designated tight end Hunter Long for a return to practice, opening a 21-day window for him to enter game action after being placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the season.
Long came to Los Angeles as part of the Jalen Ramsey trade that sent the star defensive back to the Miami Dolphins. Long was placed on the physically unable to perform list this summer and landed on IR as he attempted to work his way back from a thigh injury.
Long had been dealing with injuries during all of training camp and the preseason. Those injuries were in his thigh and groin and injuries the Rams were aware of when they received him as part of the Ramsey deal with the Dolphins.
Getting Long back adds another potential weapon for Matthew Stafford for an offense that has surprised many with its efficiency to begin the 2023 campaign. The Rams have the No. 7 passing offense in the NFL in terms of yards per game, and rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua is third in the NFL in receiving yards.
If Long can return to full strength and be the piece the Rams expected him to be when he was acquired by the Dolphins, he can add another layer to an offense led by Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Nacua and Tyler Higbee.
Long has primarily been a pass blocking tight end over his two seasons with the Dolphins, but being the only player returning in the Ramsey deal makes it appear as though he’ll play a bigger role in L.A. than he did in Miami. Of course, the early success of the Rams offense could change that.
Long could return any time between Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys to Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks in order to satisfy the 21-day return window. If he is unable to return at that point then he will be shut down for the season.
Sean McVay and wife Veronika welcome first child
The Rams announced that head coach Sean McVay and his wife Veronika welcomed their first child, a son named Jordan John McVay, into the world on Tuesday.
This was a long time coming as McVay announced over the summer that he and Veronika were expecting a son sometime during the 2023 season.
Over the last few weeks, McVay had alerted the media that the baby was due soon and that he would be missing a game if his wife went into labor on a Sunday, although he joked that his son knew better than to come on a game day.
It turns out he was right as Jordan was born on Tuesday, Oct. 24 and the Rams had a hilarious announcement, revealing it as if it’s a roster transaction.
More must-reads: