Week Four Injury Report: Rams V. Cardinals
Week four is approaching and the Los Angeles Rams have a meeting with the Arizona Cardinals in a fight between undefeated NFC West rivals. The winner will take the early lead in the division race that is set to be grueling. Division games are always important and the Rams need to get off to a hot start. Let’s look at the injury report for this week and how it may affect the outcome of the game.
Los Angeles Rams
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Tremayne Anchrum have both been designated for return this week with Sean McVay stating that Okoronkwo will play this Sunday. Meanwhile, Darrell Henderson is set to return after being limited until Friday when he was a full participant. He is listed as questionable, however, McVay stated he anticipates him playing on Sunday. In what capacity remains to be seen as Sony Michel played well in his absence. Let’s take a look at the Rams’ latest updates on the injury report.
Justin Hollins
Justin Hollins was off to a great start this season through three games. Unfortunately, the talented pass rusher suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be sidelined for eight to ten weeks. Thankfully it isn’t season-ending and he will eventually return but losing him is a big blow to the Rams’ defense. More importantly, Getting pressure and keeping contain on Kyler Murray is paramount to winning this week so Terrell Lewis and Okoronkwo will have to step it up a notch.
Tutu Atwell
Tutu Atwell has been out all week with an illness. He was a full participant Friday but is listed as questionable for this matchup. Interestingly, McVay has already stated that if he cannot go, DeSean Jackson will likely be the punt returner. It sounds like McVay is preparing for him to be out this week but we will have to wait and see what happens on Sunday.
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Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have some players listed on short-term injured reserve. None are huge losses. They are; Jack Crawford, Dennis Gardeck, Joshua Miles, Charles Washington, and the biggest loss, Jordan Phillips. Malcolm Butler also retired shortly before the season began. Now let’s take a look at the newest updates to the Cardinals injury report.
Kelvin Beachum
Beachum is the starting right tackle for the Cardinals. He has been out with a rib injury all week and is listed as questionable. He missed the Cardinals’ week three game. If he cannot play that makes Murray’s job just a little tougher. Josh Jones played well in his absence but he is only a second-year player, and he barely played as a rookie.
Justin Pugh
Pugh is the team’s starting left guard. He is questionable with a back injury this week. Pugh did not participate Wednesday or Thursday but was a full participant Friday. He will likely go but not be at full strength ass back injuries can be difficult to play through. If he is out that is another big blow to the Cardinals’ offensive line.
Justin Murray
Murray is a reserve offensive lineman. He has played significant snaps in other’s absence, however. Additionally, He too is questionable with a back injury. Though he was out until Friday when he was limited, he may not be able to go this week. If other guys can’t play and he cannot either, that could spell disaster for the Cardinals. Regardless, it seems as though Arizona will have to shuffle guys around and have a line that is less than full strength. The Rams front seven could be a big factor on Sunday.
Eno Benjamin
Benjamin has been inactive all season so he isn’t a big loss. He has missed this week with a hamstring injury. Honestly, Benjamin really has no effect on this game. The Cardinals rushing attack is led by Chase Edmonds and James Conner.
Rams LB Justin Hollins is set to undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a partially-torn pectoral via Around The NFL