Rams keep cards close to chest
Meet Raiders in NFL season opener next month
The Rams play host to the Oakland Raiders next week, so fans finally will get a chance to see new and returning Rams star players in action at the Coliseum.
Not so fast.
Only two of the Rams’ projected 22 starters played in Thursday night’s defeat by the Baltimore Ravens.
In light of several serious injuries suffered by NFL players in preseason openers, Rams coach Sean McVay was asked if there was a possible scenario in which stars such as quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh would not play a preseason snap.
“I wouldn’t go that far, yet,” McVay said, adding, “It’s not, certainly, out of the question how we would approach the Oakland game.” ■
The Rams participated in two joint practices with the Ravens before McVay held out nearly all starters during the 33-7 defeat at M&T Bank Stadium. McVay said after the game that had been the plan all along.
He also indicated that he might deploy a similar strategy against the Raiders, especially with his team playing at Oakland in a September 10 season opener on “Monday Night Football.”
If McVay had any doubts, they probably were confirmed by news out of San Francisco and Washington.
Tight end George Kittle and running back Matt Breida suffered shoulder injuries in the 49ers’ preseason opener. Redskins running back Derrius Guice suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Guice, a rookie, had six carries for 19 yards when he was injured.