The 4-4 Los Angeles Rams enter their Week 10 Monday night matchup hoping to keep pace in the NFC West. With the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers both winning on Sunday, the Rams must win their fourth straight to stay within a half-game of first place.
Ahead of their Monday night game versus the Miami Dolphins, here are the latest updates on the Rams’ top offensive stars.
Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp has had trouble staying on the field since his record-breaking 2021 campaign. This year, Kupp suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, causing him to miss four games before returning in Week 8.
When healthy, the Rams have leaned on the veteran receiver. Kupp leads the NFL in target rate and is averaging 75.5 receiving yards per game. He’s also drawn four defensive pass interference penalties, tied for the third-most in 2024 despite playing only four games.
The good news is that Kupp is now completely healthy and is off the injury report entering Week 10.
Puka Nacua
After a record-setting rookie season, Puka Nacua’s sophomore campaign has been considerably rockier. Nacua aggravated a preseason knee injury in the team’s season-opener, causing him to be placed on injured reserve.
Nacua missed the next five games before returning for the team’s Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. That Thursday night game remains the only game this season that both Kupp and Nacua have started and finished together (entering the Week 10 MNF matchup).
Nacua was ejected in the first half of last week’s overtime game against the Seattle Seahawks after throwing a punch following an interception. In his one complete game this year, Nacua had seven catches for 106 yards against the Vikings.
Rams WR Puka Nacua has been ejected from today's game. pic.twitter.com/BTOeE5JaXV
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 3, 2024
Matthew Stafford
The 36-year-old is the third-oldest starting quarterback this season behind Aaron Rodgers and Joe Flacco. Matthew Stafford hasn’t quite posted vintage numbers, but he’s certainly played well enough to keep the Rams afloat after injuries threatened to submarine them early.
The big key for Stafford this season has been staying clean, which hasn’t always been easy behind a makeshift offensive line. When pressured, Stafford has the fourth-worst EPA per dropback this season (-0.58). But when kept clean, Stafford ranks 11th in that same category (0.27).
The great news for Stafford and L.A. is that the Rams are finally at full strength on the offensive line. Ahead of their Week 10 game, Los Angeles activated a pair of starters from IR in center Jonah Jackson and left guard Steve Avila. That will give the Rams their preferred starting O-line for the first time all season.
Kyren Williams
One of the true workhorses in 2024, Kyren Williams leads the league with 20.1 carries per game entering Monday night. Williams has also played an astounding 88% of the Rams’ snaps, the only running back to play at least 80% of his team’s snaps on the season.
His efficiency has suffered a bit as a result, as Williams is averaging only 3.7 yards per carry. But with the Rams trotting out a depleted pass-catching corps most weeks, Williams’ ability to shoulder most of the offensive volume has been a godsend.
Week 9 was the first time all season that Williams did not find the end zone. His seven-game touchdown streak to begin the season was the second longest by a Rams player, trailing only Todd Gurley in 2018 (10 straight).
Tyler Higbee
The one skill position player still missing from the offense is tight end Tyler Higbee. The Rams’ starting tight end remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in last year’s Wild Card loss to the Detroit Lions.
After the team’s Week 6 bye, head coach Sean McVay said Higbee was ahead of schedule with his rehab. While McVay’s update was certainly encouraging, it’s been silent since, and it’s still unclear when Higbee will return to action for the Rams.