Rams Sign Three Offensive Lineman, Puka Nacua Injury Update, Depth Chart After Injuries & more

we've got the latest on puka noua why the Rams can survive without him for now and the Rams signed multiple offensive lineman that's coming up next on lock on Rams you are locked on Rams your daily Los Angeles Rams podcast part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day what's going on RAM and welcome to another episode of lockon rams your daily podcast covering your Los Angeles Rams free and available rev your podcast locked on Rams part of locked on podcast Network your team everyday we're also available over on YouTube so if you haven't yet do us a huge favor subscribe to lockon Rams YouTube channel trying to get to 15,000 subscribers so hit the Subscribe button hit the notification Bell and if you really want to support the channel hit the like button and let me know so if it's just four games for puka niua what will the Rams record be after four my name is Doug McCain you can follow me on exit Instagram at dmac corla I've been covering LA Sports in the NFL and college football for over a decade 247 Sports Bleacher Report SI Dodgers Nation now the Rams 4 locked on and today I'm flying solo and we have a jam-pack show for you today we got an update on the Rams injury situation on the offensive line they signed multiple offensive linemen we have to start with pukaa so since the last time we spoke puka AA was placed on injured reserve he's going to miss at least four games sha MCV told us yesterday that he was headed to the IR and he didn't say how long he was going to be out but he did say that he aggravated the knee injury that kept him out for three weeks during training camp and he said quote a little bit more significant than what was previously the situation so it's the same need that he hurt during the Rams Chargers joint practice back during training camp and during the game he came back and played one play he ultimately was carded off after he banged up that knee and there was a lot of fear that okay it's non- contct could it be worse some people were playing Dr Twitter Dr X Dr Google trying to make assumptions a lot of speculation but the truth of the matter is is that it's an IR situation it's not season ending a couple weeks back sha McVey said about the injury really just had a little bit of a bursta sack kind of burst it and it's just going to be week to week with him nothing serious nothing structurally he'll be in good shape and he'll recover and will be ready to go no threat of anything for Detroit so this was a couple weeks ago but that gives you an idea of how they felt about that initial injury and he has re-aggravated that so you're not hearing any structural issues not hearing anything that's come back from the Imaging that indicates anything serious now pugua has dealt with injuries throughout his career when he was at Washington through BYU last year he deal some stuff and look the physicality that he plays with it's only natural it's the NFL less than 1% of players go the entire season with at least no suffering no type of injury right it happens it's the National Football League but I think that there was a little bit of an overreaction and I think a lot of this had to be with fantasy managers out there that drafted him with their first pick but in the real world in real football the truth is the Rams can survive without puking AA for the first four games and the main reason why is because of how good Cooper cup looked Cooper cup received a 71.2 PFF grade he was targeted 21 Times by Matthew Stafford so we know when Matthew Stafford finds his guy he tends to feed them he lets the lets his big boys eat and cup certainly is his big boy as far as production right now and he was targeted 21 times had 14 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown he had that beautiful catch down the left sideline was able to get both those feet in drags both of his toes makes a phenomenal catch and he also had 42 yards after the catch he had a 7.4 average depth of Target so that's definitely not high by any means so you're kind of looking less than 10 yards with some of that a DOT stuff right there when he was at its best he was higher from that range and it does make you wonder if you have to rely on Cooper cut for the next four weeks and you are targeting him 20 plus times per game is that going to subject him to some injury risk well it's football it happens but the good part about this is is if pukan naku went down like he did and you had last year's version of Cooper cup towards the end of the season where he just wasn't moving like the 2021 or even the early 2022 version of Cooper cup he wasn't getting out of his breaks he wasn't creating separation he wasn't finding a way to make plays if you had that Cooper cup plus the puka injury then I'd say okay there's a reason to be worried at this point but I'm very encouraged by the way that Cooper Cup played I said it yesterday the revenge tour is underway he's leaner he looks quicker he looks like his offseason training program has certainly paid dividends and he did switch some things up from that end as well so he looks healthy he looks ready to produce and then behind Cooper cup Tyler Johnson looked really good Demarcus Robinson made plays Tyler Johnson he received a 69.7 PFF grade he caught five passes for 79 yards had that 63 yard catch and he also produced 64 yards after contact so that definitely bodess well and speaks to the physicality that he's capable of playing with he had a 69.5 blocking grade and with the way the Rams ask their receivers to block in the Run game you want to be able to have that ability as well and I think when you're looking at Tyler Johnson you're not looking for an entire season of production you're looking for a handful of games early in the season and then he can go back to being a Deb player what did we see last season early in the year when you didn't have Cooper cup when he was on the IR dealing with the hamstring injury first couple of games 22 Atwell he was able to produce 22 had 119 yards in week one 77 yards in week two and then over the next 15 games he had 287 yards combined so yeah it's a whole different conversation about 2 two not getting his opportunities and I certainly think that 2 two should get more opportunities I'm a 2 two truther I'm of that belief as well but truth of the matter is is they were able to get production from guys like 2 two and kind of weather the storm while Cooper cup was out so we know that cup is going to get the line share of the targets we know that he's going to step up also Tyler Johnson has the ability and don't forget about Demarcus Robinson Demarcus Robinson a 68.4 PFF grade he finished with four catches for 42 yards he had that really nice play during the game where Stafford he was nippl in the pocket with his legs and he found Robinson an out of structure play so it really speaks to the chemistry that they built last season where if it's a broken play and Stafford's trying to make something happen Demarcus Robinson is a guy that can keep that play alive and give Stafford an option downfield so I like his ability as well and then look Jordan Winnington they mixed him in there he could have got a touchdown if it wasn't for that AJR Curry face mask holding penalty there and then Kobe Parkinson is another weapon that they can utilize as well and on top of everything else I think you're going to focus and emphasize the run a little more than you did in the first game and sha mcfay already talked about that as far as the way the defense for the Lions was really triggering that passing game for the Rams and look it almost worked the Rams almost won that game so you're going to see more Kiren Williams I have a lot of confidence that you're probably going to see Blake km I'm pretty sure that the way things were playing out we were going to see Blake km get his first carries of his NFL career in the second half but the game happens fast and it didn't happen but I definitely think that in week two barring no injuries on the offensive line and a little more of a controlled style of offense that you're going to see a deeper commitment to the running game than you saw in week one and you just kind of have to because look as much as I loved Cooper Cup's production like I said it's a lot of targets for a guy that has dealt with injuries that's nor of 30 and you also want to make sure that he stays healthy throughout the entire season so when does puka AA come back now he's eligible to return during their week six byy so no game that week he won't be playing now could that be a little advantageous for the Rams so they're not tempted to rush him back and have him participate in a game right away it could be I mean hopefully he's okay earlier than that and they just Place him on the IR because they want that roster spot and they want to fill that spot with someone that can be added for depth reasons but if you look at their schedule without PUK and deua they're going to Arizona and NFC West opener and then you host the 49ers at home on September 22nd and in week four you take on the Bears du bears in Chicago going up against Caleb Williams I mean that team didn't look great they were able to win a lot that had to do with their special teams so we'll see how much better does Caleb Williams look in week four and then week five you host the so you have two home games two Road games you face two division Rivals and then you go to the Midwest you take on the Bears and you host the Packers at home so if you could squeeze out 3 and2 that'd be ideal if you could go two and three in that stretch I mean your season isn't over at that point but you definitely don't want to lose to Arizona and then lose to the 49ers and you're 0 and three going on the road to take on the Bears and then your season can get away from you pretty quickly especially when you come home to play take on a Packers team that's going to have a lot of Packers and cheese heads in the crowd so really I think this team they have the ability to overcome a puka neua injury it's just find a way to get him as healthy as possible and hopefully he's ready to go for the rest of the way but I'm telling you Cooper cup Demarcus Robinson you got guys that can play Tyler Johnson 22 ow will may get some more opportunities Jordan Winnington I'm excited to see what what he can do they have some packages lined up for him and then Kobe Parkinson he made some plays as well but the number one thing you need to know is Cooper cup I think he's back I think he's ready to have a pro bowl season and because of that I think the Rams are going to be fine without puking TOA for the first part of the season but coming up next the Rams sign multiple offensive linemen we're breaking that down that's coming up next on lock on Rams man when we leave the house it's phone wallet keys and house my hair look but if you're experiencing hair loss you may not be so confident when you step outside your door it's time to get that 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Eagles practice squad and he's right on the active roster and this according to his agent Whitney Holtzman now the Rams are required to keep McMahon on their active roster for at least three weeks or at least pay him three game checks if he's waved before those three weeks are up he was a former six round picked by The Eagles this year he went 190th overall out of NC State the Eagles waved him on August 27th but he was signed to the practice squad and the Rams are expected to be without Steve AA for the next four to six weeks he suffered a knee injury and he's likely headed to the IR they haven't made it official yet but it's going to be at least four to six weeks and we could be looking at a week seven or week eight return for Steve Avala the ram starting left guard and in his place Bo limmer he's going to play center and Jonah Jackson he's going to move to the left guard spot so let's stick with McMahon for a second here because who knows this could be a dude because we know the Eagles when it comes to scouting and Drafting and developing offensive linemen they're one of the best in the game and they are very careful and very selective with who they bring into that building when it comes to offensive linemen and I can tell you from talking to people that covered at The Shrine Bowl that they told me that he showed out that he was one of the better offensive linemen there he had a really nice career at NC State where he played center and guard and the reason why he didn't go as high in the draft is look not the biggest dude 299 doesn't have big hands has small arms but he's been effective and he's gotten the job done so I think he's one of those guys where you kind of throw out the NFL measurables and what you're looking for and just see how he can compete so he's a depth piece it's not like he go in there and be a factor for this team day one but it tells you the Rams are very proactive and they are very careful too about who they bring into their organization and look they do it knowing that okay we want some upside as well did we find someone we'll see and you look at where the Rams are I mean look Jonah Jackson Bo limur Kevin Dodson hey they stay healthy and they perform this is going to be fine I think that everyone was freaking out saying this is 2022 all over again that the offensive line is going to crack and you're going to have them on the IR and they're going to have different combinations there're going to be more combinations of the Rams offensive line than the drinks at Sonic or the Oregon uniforms or things like that look the truth of the matter is if you take a step back and you look at where they're at right now Bo limmer he looked pretty good Rob havenstein he avoided the IR he could be back in week two he could be back in week three but he did avoid the IR so his return is closer than I think a lot of people realize they almost feel like okay Rob havenstein's going to IR no he's not he's going to be back very soon here and then Kevin Dawson he left the game in a boot he dealt with a little ankle injury but it's not a high ankle Sprint or anything like that he's going to be good to go and then Jonah Jackson as well so if you look at the offensive line you have right now you have Bo limmer Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson for week two yes AJR Curry at left tackle is concerning because you don't want Matthew Stafford to get injured you want to try to keep him vertical as much as possible and AJR Curry is a practice squad level lineman but unfortunately Joe no boom he's going to be out for quite some time for a couple of weeks at least with a high ankle sprain because that's the worst type of ankle sprain he left on a cart does that surprise anyone I mean look it's the Ram's own fault let's be honest here is the Ram's own fault that you're relying on a UDF aler Jackson and his backup is Joe noo someone that you paid and he has been injury-prone throughout his career and AJR Curry goes behind him but after this week you're getting your starting offensive lineman at left tackle back in Aller Jackson and is Aller Jackson a franchise left tackle no he's not that but he only gave one sack last year and he's the elite he's never going to be that but he can be more than serviceable he can absolutely be good enough this season for the Rams and look it tells you everything you need to know that of all the left tackles that they've had as possible options sha McVey in this organization they felt like Aller Jackson had what it took to be the starting left tackle to protect Matthew Stafford's Blindside and he's had his flashes yes last year the second half of the Season he definitely had his moments where things were starting to click but with Aller Jackson you can get solid you can get serviceable last year in 15 starts he allowed one sack 39 total pressures had a 6 .1 run blocking great is 67.2 pass blocking great so it's not like you're getting Prime Orlando Pace or Andrew Whitworth back or anything like that but you are getting upgraded Joe not booom and someone that this organization was confident in being their starting left tackle is he the long-term solution absolutely not I've been saying that for a while now that every listeners will know but he's in a good position to have a solid season I mean he's got a lot to prove after the suspension he did sign that one-year deal that free agent restricted second round tender at $4.3 million so he wants to get paid he wants to prove himself in this league and he's got a great opportunity to do just that but the number one biggest key is can Bo limmer hang if Bo limmer can hang that can prevent this from being a disaster and he had a 58.9 PFF grade that's not awful I you compare that to AJR Curry what a 25.9 and War McLendon Jr had a 33.6 no boom had a 40.8 f grade so he was thrusted into a tough spot but limmer allowed just two pressures just two pressures the entire game no boom gave up three pressures McClendon gave up five R Curry allowed seven in just 33 pass blocking snaps I mean our Curry's pass blocking grade was 1.9 and no blooms was 7.2 so those were the two worst of any lineman in the National Football League in week one so Bo limmer clearly was better than those guys and if he can Just Hold Steady while our Curry can try to hopefully play better in week two I mean I don't think it's situation where you move guys very tough to move offensive line it's a whole different skill set you're moving your foot differently McLendon going there I don't think is the answer you just got to hope for better production hopefully or bring someone else in I mean that's a possibility as well so like I mean I think this offensive line definitely is in a tough spot but it's not as bad as people are making out to be and Bo limmer hey you got this I trust you I think he has the capability and the strength and the skills to be a serviceable NFL Center at this level so that definitely is the number one key Bo limmer can you hold it down while Steve Avala is out but coming up next the Rams make more signings along the offensive line that's coming up next on lockdown Rams and a friendly reminder that today's episode of lock on Rams is brought to you by our friends over at FanDuel fanduel's America's number one sports book why because it's incredibly fun you can take all the best parts of football and make it about you and make some money along the way whether you're talking about team totals player props money lines all the different things that you have at FanDuel but this is a little different we have something a little different this year right now through September 22nd all FanDuel customers can bet $5 and get a free 3-week trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV with a YouTube TV base plan you'll be able to watch every single regular season Sunday afternoon at a market game and if you never had the Sunday Ticket you don't know what you're missing it's all the football all the time all you need is a Google account and a current form of payment and you can cancel at any time it's easy just visit fanduel.com and download America's number one Sportsbook for a 3-week free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV and welcome back to lockon Rams thank you for making lockon Rams your first list in every single weekday free and available revigator podcast lockon Rams part of lockon podcast Network your team every day okay so more signings to talk about the Rams added veteran lineman Tai Andi and Jerome Christian this was announced by the elite loyalty sports agency they broke their own news that's always cool last time that Christian played was in 2023 with the Tex he played in nine games for H toown all at left tackle he's been mostly a left tackle throughout his career but he's also played right tackle during spots of his six-year career and then SEI you guys definitely know him from being with the Rams a couple seasons ago in 2022 he played One Snap with the Browns last year he had 421 snaps with the Rams a few years ago all those were at left tackle he also has experienced playing right tackle and left guard so we don't know yet where we're going to see them as far as their spot on the roster it remains to be seen but they adding depth and the Rams are clearly being extremely proactive when it comes to where it's going to be the practice squad or the active roster we don't know that just yet but that's a big question heading into week two who's the starting left tackle and we're going to talk about that more tomorrow just kind of initial thoughts I mean look McLendon did play left tackle during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs it's been a while you could definitely thrust him in that situation we'll see if doson is able to go he's day to day probably they just go with AJR Curry and try to get by with one week until Jackson can get back but you just can't have a Turn Style at the left tackle spot in week two because look you're down some linemen you can live through that as long as guys get healthy you're down panua you can live through that as long as gets healthy in Cooper cup and these guys stay productive you lose Matthew Stafford The Season's OV it's over you're probably looking out a potential rebuild if that's the case so look they do have some options I mean do you give Logan bruss the opportunity to play right tackle and throw Warren McLendon at left tackle and you got Jonah Jackson at left guard you got Bo limmer in center and then you got my man Kevin Dawson at Right Guard I have a good feeling that Dawson's going to play but they're defin going to have to make a decision very quickly here as far as the left tackle spot because yeah I mean that's just a a big big time decision because clearly AJR Curry just did not look the part did not look the part but having said that it's a tough situation you're activated and then you're in the game having to deal with Aiden Hutchinson one of the best pass rushers in the National Football League so not an envious situation that he was thrusted into after a week of practice knowing is the starter I think that could bode well for his confidence his game plan just heading into that and giving him a better opportunity to optimize him and have some success or the Rams think really big and they go externally and get on the phone David bokari I certainly would have checked in on him just to get a feel for where he's at physically but I do think that you're looking at week three and Jackson coming back and with Jackson back and havenstein back well that point you have for your five offensive linan back that you thought you were going to have to start the season and Bo limmer hopefully just performing at an average to above average level so I don't see them going too dramatic with it so look I mean for me just survive week two find a way to survive week two find a way to get a win and hopefully Aller Jackson can provide some stability on this slide and also Rob havenstein he is Mr stability too so getting him back is going to be massive as well but that's going to do it for this episode of lockon rams my name is Doug McCain you follow me on X and Instagram at dmac corla and until next time whose house it's locked on Rams house