LOS ANGELES — Wrapping up preseason practices Tuesday afternoon in Woodland Hills, Rams coach Sean McVay said his team is continuing their “never-ending journey of becoming.”
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For 12 practices, however, since the beginning of training camp at Loyola Marymount through their return to their home facility, the Rams have been without two-time Defensive Player of the Year and prized offseason addition Myles Garrett.
While the star pass rusher, who has been dealing with minor knee swelling, didn’t poke his head out Tuesday during the Rams’ practice ahead of Thursday’s Week 3 preseason game against the Chargers, McVay insisted they are still erring on the side of caution when it comes to his status.
“The goal is, what can we do to be able to get him ready to roll for Australia?” McVay said.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua (psoas) and offensive lineman Keagen Trost (hamstring) did not practice, while tight end Terrance Ferguson also worked off to the side with a trainer as he was dealing with soreness, McVay said. Offensive lineman Alaric Jackson missed practice, and was taking care of something that the Rams knew of in advance, McVay said, adding that there was “nothing to worry about.”
One very large potential addition to the Rams ahead of the season opener was also not out on the field: Aaron Donald.
As of Tuesday, there are still no updates for when Donald will come to a decision on returning to the NFL more than two years after calling it quits. McVay said that the team has plans for a final 53-man roster with and without Donald, and that he hasn’t thought about what a possibility of Donald returning after the Rams’ Sept. 10 season opener in Melbourne against the San Francisco 49ers would look like.
“If he decides he wants to be able to do it, then the next conversations are: What is your ramp-up?” McVay said. “What does it look like to approach whenever that would be the first time that we think we make the most sense for him to impact and make a positive change with us?
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McVay continued: “We’ve had to have a lot of fluidity and flexibility, and that’s what I’ve had to learn over 10 years. But I think what’s good is the thing that has served us well – and it’s really the truth – is let’s just stay one day at a time.”
Quarterback plan develops
Stetson Bennett IV and first-round draft pick Ty Simpson will be on the Rams’ final 53-man roster, McVay said. The plan, however, for behind center against the Chargers is still to be decided upon, other than the fact that Simpson will play, McVay added.
“I think we feel fortunate that you got two guys that we believe in, feel really good about,” McVay said. “One of those guys will be the backup in Australia, but we’re going to have three quarterbacks on this team that are going to be good football players, and I think those guys have done a really good job.”
McVay on college football
The chuckles from the assorted media Tuesday said it all when a reporter asked McVay about former college football players going undrafted, joining NFL teams on training camp deals or rookie camp deals, but ultimately returning to college football.
“I feel like I took a freaking gummy,” McVay said. “I don’t even understand it.”
More from McVay: “You hear some of this stuff, I’m like, ‘Surely that’s not real.’ I just try to stay in my lane, but I would say it’s very unique and it’s very different, you know? I mean, I saw (New Orleans Saints head coach) Kellen Moore made a quote about it because his brother’s a college coach and you got guys going back. But it’s wild, that’s what I would say.”
Earlier this week, reigning Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year Trent Hendrick enrolled at UCLA after going undrafted and participating in rookie minicamps with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs. Last week, a temporary restraining order was granted by a Louisiana judge, helping Hendrick and seven additional student athletes receive extra eligibility.
On Tuesday, one day after the Big Ten Conference implemented rules to limit players from joining the NFL and returning to college, Hendrick was deemed eligible to play at UCLA. The star linebacker never made a team or preseason roster from either of those minicamps, nor did he play in a preseason game or sign a pro services agreement.
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