The NFL’s intensity is set to ramp up this week as joint practices and preseason games draw near.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams will head to Oxnard for a joint practice session with the Dallas Cowboys, followed by a preseason game on Saturday, August 9, at SoFi Stadium.
Rams head coach Sean McVay is known for keeping starters off the preseason field, opting instead to unleash them during joint practices. These sessions provide valuable, high-intensity reps against quality opponents—often culminating in heated moments and occasional dust-ups that reflect the competitive edge both teams bring.
While joint practices are crucial for rookies and fringe players battling for roster spots, they also serve as the primary opportunity for starters to get meaningful work before the regular season.
Here are five Rams to keep an eye on during Tuesday’s joint session.
5 Rams To Watch Vs. Cowboys During Joint Practice
Jared Verse, Edge
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Jared Verse is heading into a pivotal sophomore season after earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He acknowledged that while his rookie year was special, it was lacking in one big area: sacks. Despite topping the list of quarterback pressures, Verse was only able to manage 4.5 sacks.
Beyond pressure, it will be interesting to see if he can remain disciplined. Verse’s focus on getting to Dak Prescott may distract from keeping the edge set against the run — a problem evident in last season and in this year’s training camp.
Verse is also the team’s most chippy player. Throughout training camp he played in an aggressive manner that caused raised hackles for McVay. From getting to near the red-shirted quarterbacks to tackling to the ground. Most recently, Verse got in the face of running back Kyren Williams after the running back gashed the defense for a big gain.
If there is a fracas, Verse will likely be involved, which could end the proceedings early.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
The Rams company line has been towed all offseason. They like his veteran professional presence and his vast experience as an NFL quarterback. While McVay has said Garoppolo could be a starter in the league, the same issues have presented themselves during training camp.
Garoppolo has hung on to the ball too long, resulting in ‘sacks’. He has also lacked touch on deep balls and outside the numbers. And has thrown the ball directly into the arms of waiting defenders.
Starting quarterback Matthew Stafford has been ruled out of the scrimmage due to a back injury. While it is far too soon to hit the panic button, there is a world where Garoppolo plays in Stafford’s stead at some point in the season
Poona Ford — Nate Landman, Run Defense
Both Poona Ford and Nate Landman have been roundly praised this offseason as difference makers for the defense. Braden Fiske called Ford the missing piece, and Landman has all but sealed up the starting linebacker spot in addition to being the defensive signal caller.
Run defense may be the hardest area to judge in a McVay-led training camp without true full-speed play and actual hitting. Landman missed the final two practices dealing with a calf injury and the difference was noticeable, particularly when the runners got outside the tackles.
The Cowboys’ scrimmage will be the first true test to see if they have improved from the lowly status they held last season.
Blake Corum, RB
Blake Corum barely sniffed playing time as a rookie. Fellow running back Kyren Williams noted ahead of training camp that he ended up playing a lot more than originally planned. A large reason for this was his lack in pass protection, which was over 20 percent of Williams’s snaps last season.
Again, due to the strictures of training camp, it was hard to tell if Corum had taken a step forward. Watching him take on the Cowboys’ defensive linemen will be telling.
By the amount of snaps played with the Rams training camp first team, he still looks to very much be the team’s second option. If rookie Jarquez Hunter outperforms him in pass pro, Corum could be riding the bench for a second straight season.
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