THOUSAND OAKS — Quarterback Matthew Stafford started Wednesday’s practice by executing a routine play that many Rams fans have been waiting to see on game days.
Stafford took the snap from center Brian Allen and threw a pass to wide receiver Van Jefferson, a short play that involved two vital players who haven’t practiced in weeks. Allen missed the past five games because of a knee injury and Jefferson hasn’t played this season after undergoing a knee procedure during training camp.
The mundane play was a welcome sight for the Rams (3-3), who limped into the bye week with several injuries and a struggling offense that averaged 17.3 points per game during the first six games of the season.
“It’s like watching your brother get beat up and you can’t get in there for a sucker punch,” Allen said. “It sucks being out, but just gotta get healthy and get to this point. Glad I’ll be out there Sunday.”
Stafford will have his center back after a much-needed bye week and he could also have his big-play receiver available for Sunday’s home game against the San Francisco 49ers. Rams coach Sean McVay hinted earlier this week that Jefferson will play against the 49ers after the team designated him to return from injured reserve.
“I think you’re adding a guy that’s been a dynamic playmaker for us, he’s been in the system for a handful of years where he can play multiple spots,” McVay said about Jefferson. “I think he’s got a comfort level with Matthew, and obviously I think he’s a complete receiver.”
McVay said the team missed Allen’s communication skills and tenacity on the field. Offensive linemen Coleman Shelton and Jeremiah Kolone filled in at center during Allen’s five-game absence. Kolone was recently waived, but he returned to the team’s practice squad on Wednesday.
Allen will return to an offensive line that will likely have three backups starting against the 49ers, with Oday Aboushi at right guard, Bobby Evans at left guard and Alaric Jackson at left tackle. Allen and right tackle Rob Havenstein are the remaining Week 1 starters on the offensive line.
“It’s good to be able to get Brian back with us,” McVay said. “His command, his understanding of what we’re trying to really get done, and then his communication up front breeds confidence to everybody else.”
Allen said the knee had been bothering him since the spring, and he needed to have fluid drained from it the day before the Rams opened the season against the Buffalo Bills. Allen missed all of the 2020 season and only played in nine games in 2019 because of knee issues.
“Kinda an uncomfortable feeling going out there with one and a half legs,” Allen said about playing in Week 1. “I feel better now than going into last year, so I’m pretty happy. … I feel like it’s 2019 again. It’s nice to have a new knee and just have confidence in that.”
Matthew Stafford took a snap from Brian Allen and then threw a quick pass to Van Jefferson. I’m sure #Rams fans will appreciate that practice play by play
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) October 26, 2022
AKERS NOT PRACTICING; NO TRADES IMMINENT
McVay said running back Cam Akers won’t practice with the team this week, while the Rams continue to search for a trade partner ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Akers was sent home before the bye week because of “in-house” reasons that McVay wanted to keep private. Teams could be waiting for the Rams to cut Akers, but McVay said there’s a chance Akers returns to the team.
As for other trades, McVay said there’s nothing imminent as of Wednesday afternoon, but mentioned: “You never know with us.”
ROOKIE REINFORCEMENTS
Rookie running back Kyren Williams practiced Wednesday after the team designated him to return from injured reserve. Williams, the team’s fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, hasn’t played since injuring his ankle on the opening kickoff of Week 1 against the Bills.
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The Rams have 21 days to decide whether to place Williams on the 53-man roster. McVay said Williams likely won’t play Sunday against the 49ers.
“Will use this week and get him acclimated,” McVay said. “Still expect him not to be available for the game.”
Also, rookie safety Quentin Lake practiced for the first time this season. The UCLA product missed all of training camp and the first six games of the season after he was placed on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury in July.
The Rams haven’t seen much of Lake, but McVay has high hopes for the team’s sixth-round draft pick.
“He’s a guy that if you’re putting stock in, you’re putting stock in this guy,” McVay said.
HENDERSON MISSES PRACTICE
Running back Darrell Henderson missed practice Wednesday because of an illness. The team is short on running backs with Akers not expected to play this week.
#Rams RB Darrell Henderson didn’t practice today because of illness pic.twitter.com/cabYMFiC9y
— Gilbert Manzano (@GManzano24) October 26, 2022