When can the Rams expect injured players to return to the field?
While the Week 6 bye week for the Los Angeles Rams could have been seen as coming too early before the season, it likely came at the perfect time. For a team that has dealt with a lot of injuries, they will be looking to get healthier out of the bye week. NFL teams can designate up to eight players to return. The Rams used one on Darious Williams and another on Larrell Murchison, meaning that they have six left. With players like Puka Nacua, Steve Avila, and Jonah Jackson all on injured reserve, those will likely go very quickly. Let’s take a look at the Rams injured players and when they can be expected back.
WR Cooper Kupp
The Rams played in smart with Cooper Kupp when it comes to not putting him on injured reserve. Had the Rams placed Kupp on injured reserve after Week 2, he would have had to miss four games, not four weeks. That would have put the wide receiver out until Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings.
It’s possible that Kupp is still out against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, but now he’ll at least be able to in the case that he is ready. Said McVay last Monday before the bye week,
“Here’s what I would say, that is something that in an ideal world, yeah, he’s ready to go. He had some specific work that he was doing with over the last couple days and we were planning on visiting with him but the Raiders was always an optimistic target date based on a few weeks back that we had set, but by no means is that guaranteed.”
It’s possible that McVay has some gamesmanship with Kupp’s status next week to keep his status up in the air. However, according to Adam Schefter’s report, the Rams were planning to have Kupp back for the Raiders game.
Target Return: Week 7 vs. Raiders
WR Puka Nacua
After Kupp is where things get a lot dicier for the Rams injuries. That’s the case when it comes to Nacua as there isn’t a firm date on when he’ll be back. When Nacua re-injured his PCL, there was a 5-7 week timetable given. However, McVay said last week,
“Just really what specifically in his knee was aggravated and the typical timeline that is usually accompanied with that. Based on his feedback and his rehab, there was always kind of a target date that they had tentatively set on when he could get back and we’ll see if we’re exactly on that. It was really the nature of the injury and the significance of that sprain to the particular ligament that we’re talking about.”
Based off of that, it doesn’t seem like Nacua will be back for the Raiders game which would be the five week mark. The Rams would like to remain optimistic for Nacua’s return against the Vikings the next week. We’re probably looking at the Vikings or Seahawks game here for Nacua’s return at the earliest. The Seahawks game in Week 9 would put him around the seven week mark for recovery.
Target Return: Week 8 vs. Vikings OR Week 9 @ Seahawks
iOL Steve Avila
The estimated timeline for a MCL injury is six weeks, but the Rams may play it safe with Avila given how important he is to their success moving forward. Before leaving for the bye week, McVay said that Avila was making good progress but wasn’t sure about the timeline for his return. The Rams head coach also noted that it would be a couple more weeks.
Ideally, Avila is also back for the Week 8 matchup against the Vikings. That would put him at around the 6.5 week mark. However, the Rams could also keep him out an extra week to make sure he is good to go for the rest of the season.
Target Return: Week 8 vs. Vikings OR Week 9 @ Seahawks
iOL Jonah Jackson
Jackson fractured his scapula following the loss the Detroit Lions. This was the same injury that he suffered in training camp. Nothing was said about Jackson before the bye, meaning he could still be a few weeks away at minimum. The Rams offensive lineman will be eligible to return for the Raiders game, but will likely miss more time.
A fractured scapula can take 6-12 weeks to heal. Week 8 against the Vikings would meet the six week mark. Something more realistic would be the Seahawks game or later. Jackson bruised his ccapula in early August and missed the entire preseason. Given the history of the injury, the Rams could play it safe.
Target Return: Week 8 vs. Vikings BUT probably a week or two later
Tyler Higbee
Not much has been said about when or if Tyler Higbee will return this season. Depending on the recovery process, the timeline is typically around 8-12 months. It’s worth noting that Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams tore his ACL at Alabama prior to his rookie season in early January. The Lions kept Williams out until December.
We are currently at about the nine month mark on Higbee’s injury. If the Rams tight end was only a few weeks away from returning, it’s likely something would have been said at this point. Higbee may not get back on the field until December and if he waits that long, coming back following the mini-bye after the 49ers game on December 12 could make sense. That would make his first game back against the New York Jets on December 22 and back for the final three games. This is still very TBD, but the guess here is that Higbee doesn’t return until December.
Target Return: TBD but potentially December
Others
John Johnson III
Much like Jackson, Johnson is also out 4-6 weeks with a fractured scapula. Johnson was put on IR after Week 2 and will be eligible to come off after the Raiders game. That would be five weeks since his injury.
Target Return: Week 8 vs. Vikings
Larrell Murchison
The Rams took Murchison off of injured reserve before the bye week, but he immediately broke his foot. Murchison could return for the Miami Dolphins, but could miss more time if the Rams opt to designate him to come back.
Target Return: TBD
Joe Noteboom
Last and certainly not least is Joe Noteboom. Noteboom would be eligible to return for the Raiders game coming out of the bye. The Rams offensive lineman suffered a high ankle injury in Week 1. The Rams could designate Noteboom to return next week, but it will all depend on where he’s at in his recovery.
Target Return: Week 7 vs. Raiders OR later
