Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford hopes fans empathize with his injured teammates.
The Rams lost wide receiver Davante Adams to injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Nate Landman were also added to the report this week, and defensive linemen Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, and Myles Garrett are all on injured reserve.
Stafford told reporters Wednesday that players of Adams’ caliber are hard to replace, and the team has to do better at everything to mitigate the damage.
“I don’t want to group everybody in the same way, but just been a part of these times before,” he said. “And I think that’s when my role becomes even more important as a leader, as somebody that can try and help steady the ship for us and make sure that I’m doing my part to do everything I can to help us win football games, becomes even more important.”
The Rams added Adams, Ford, and kicker Blake Grupe to injured reserve earlier this week after the Rams lost to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and all three players were injured.
McDuffie did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday because of a groin injury. Landman missed practice because of a concussion. Adams’s opposite number, Puka Nacua, was also listed as a limited participant due to an unspecified injury.
Stafford said he views the injured players as teammates and professional athletes, and hopes fans see them that way, too.
“Everybody sees these, and they’re on their fantasy team or whatever, and they’re like, ‘oh, I’ve got to trade a guy in and out now,’” Stafford said. “And we’re like, ‘well, that guy’s worked his ass off for the last 8 months to get this opportunity, and it’s unfortunate he doesn’t get to do what he loves to do. So, I feel more for our guys than I do for anybody else, and I know the work that they put into it to be out here doing what they love. And so, that hurts me for them.”
He reiterated that he takes responsibility for elevating the rest of the team, so when eligible players return, they are still playing meaningful football.
Stafford was particularly wounded for Adams, who has dealt with several injuries in his career and is 33 years old.
“I know how hard he works to keep his body feeling as good as he can, and how hard he works to be out there for us,” he said. “And when he’s not able to do that, I know that tears him up. And obviously, the production is the production. He’s an unbelievable player, has been for a long time in this league. He’s been unbelievably productive for us when he’s been in there.”
Without Adams in the fold and with Nacua’s status up in the air, the Rams will have to lean on third-year wideout Jordan Whittington, second-year pro Konata Mumpfield, rookie CJ Daniels, and veterans Tutu Atwell and Alex Bachman.
They may also utilize more two- and three-tight end personnel groupings, but receiving threat Terrance Ferguson is also on injured reserve. No matter what they do, they’ll struggle to replace Adams’ production and skill set, Stafford acknowledged.
“We obviously have capable guys who have played behind them. You’re not going to one-for-one sub in a guy that’s going to be wearing a gold jacket one day, in Davante,” he said.
“So, it’s a team effort, all of us doing everything we can to try and pick up the slack and make sure we get in the end zone, red zone specifically. Just finding ways to utilize the other guys that we have and their talents and their abilities.”
