The Rams take a 1-0 record into Week 2 after beating the Houston Texans in the opener and they’ll be looking to continue that perfect start against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday. Especially because the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals also won their openers, giving the NFC West a trio of teams that won their opening game. One key player for the Titans who might not be available is right tackle JC Latham.
The seventh overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Latham exited Tennessee’s Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos with a hip injury and did not return.
Latham is questionable to return to Sunday’s game against Denver due to a hip injury, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.
Latham limped off the field and into the blue medical tent early in the fourth quarter. Oli Udoh will fill in at right tackle for as long as Latham is sidelined.
The Titans offensive line was criticized for a poor performance in quarterback Cam Ward’s debut, including Latham on the right side.
The Titans have invested a ton of resources into rebuilding their offense, including head coach Brian Callahan, Ward, Latham, free agents Calvin Ridley, left tackle Dan Moore, right tackle Kevin Zeitler, and center Lloyd Cushenberry, first round pick Peter Skoronski, running back Tony Pollard, and receivers like Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, and rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, plus tight end Gunnar Helm.
The end result of those investments in Week 1?
The Titans scored 12 points, gained a total of 133 yards, averaged 2.4 yards per play, and only gained seven first downs in a loss to the Broncos. Now, the Broncos are expected to have one of the top defenses in the NFL but this was anything but the debut that Tennessee wanted for number one overall pick Cam Ward.
Ward finished 12 of 28 for 112 yards and was largely let down by his supporting cast with drops, fumbles, and poor protection. Pollard led the team with 29 receiving yards (on one catch) followed by Ridley with 27 and Lockett caught zero passes.
For the Rams, Week 2 is an opportunity for Chris Shula’s defense to flex. Again.
L.A. held Houston to nine points and zero touchdowns, locking down receivers and keeping C.J. Stroud in check as onlookers will continue to question if he’ll ever become one of the top QBs in the league.
If Latham misses the next contest, or potentially even if he doesn’t, it could be another chance to eat a big meal for Jared Verse and company. Another opportunity for the Rams to keep pace in the NFC West.
