INGLEWOOD, Calif. — A preseason game with quite a bit of “bad” — four interceptions’ worth, and nearly a fifth that was called back due to a penalty — from third-string quarterback Stetson Bennett, also featured one great moment with just seconds to play and the Los Angeles Rams in a six-point deficit. Bennett flushed to his left at the 6-yard line, then slung a pass to reserve tight end Miller Forristall for the game-tying touchdown. Rookie kicker Josh Karty hit the game-winning extra point, 13-12 (Karty was also 2-for-2 on field goals of 28 and 39 yards).
Bennett went 24-of-38 with 224 yards, the touchdown and the four interceptions for a 48.5 passer rating. While he made multiple bad choices with throws (and admitted as much postgame), he did look more confident getting in and out of the huddle and in setting up the actual offense in general. This was not at always the case in 2023, whether in training camp practices or the preseason.
“I thought I played well, and then just made a bunch of bad decisions if that’s possible,” Bennett said. “… I told myself today, ‘we’re gonna roll with the punches.’ My goal was to not make any mental errors, (it) was basically to run the offense correctly. I know the interceptions are different, but like, to run in and out of the huddle, execute. And I thought we did that for the majority of the day. There were some lapses, obviously. …
“Not overthinking it. You get a play in, you give a play, and then you do your job. I think last year I was kind of building it up to be more than that. I was trying to find the answer somewhere. The answer is, listen to (the coaches). They tell you what to do. Do it.”
You know Matt Stafford approves of that sidearm 🔥
The @RamsNFL added the extra point to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/EgFr5LmGoT
— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2024
The brightest moments of the day came from two rookies, receiver Jordan Whittington and Karty. Whittington looked at ease in McVay’s offense, as “vanilla” as the preseason is, and showed his comfort with NFL contact (even backups) with a 31-yard catch-and-run slant during which he broke a tackle.
“He played like a grown man with the ball in his hands, (and) did a great job without it,” McVay said of Whittington. “He’s going to be a factor for us.” Whittington has gotten a significant workload since spring OTAs, including with the first team and especially in the absence of Puka Nacua (knee).
Also notable: the second- and third-team defensive units did not allow a touchdown, despite playing so much of the game in sudden-change after Bennett’s turnovers.
Often, it’s more notable to see who the Rams don’t play during the preseason. Starters and key depth players usually sit. There are some exceptions. For example, both tight ends Hunter Long and Davis Allen got snaps Sunday in part because both missed most or all of last year’s preseason with injuries. The Rams are also trying to discern what the depth and rotation (and/or combinations) will look like in supplement of starter Colby Parkinson, help get Bennett off to a good start with sufficient blocking help and get players reps in the new kickoff format.
But in general, not playing much or at all in the preseason is a good sign for a player’s status.
Here’s my best guess at a 53-man roster projection after the first game of the preseason — with plenty of football left before Week 1:
Quarterbacks (2): Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo
Please note that this will be adjusted slightly ahead of Week 1 because Garoppolo is suspended for the first two games of the regular season. That means Bennett could be the No. 2 for Weeks 1 and 2. Stafford is healthy, and that’s a good thing because Bennett is definitely not ready to ascend to No. 2 — let alone quarterback the Rams against a non-preseason opponent.
Running backs (4): Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Boston Scott
Scott and Rivers can both be impact players on special teams.
Wide receivers (7): Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Whittington, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson, Xavier Smith
Keeping fewer tight ends gives the Rams more room at receiver. Whittington looks as though he will be a very good, physical player and fits behind the Kupp/Nacua roles McVay prefers at the position. Robinson is a true “X” receiver, but in this offense the “X” does not mean he will get the most targets from Stafford (Kupp/Nacua are likely to split those, followed by Robinson). Smith and Johnson both had strong camps and they are contributors on special teams. Atwell seems to be more so Robinson’s backup, where Whittington could back up either Kupp or Nacua.
Gettin’ Whitt it early. 💪 pic.twitter.com/b4CwMOzHLt
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 11, 2024
Tight ends (3): Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen, Hunter Long
Longtime starter Tyler Higbee opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list. While the Rams expect him back deep into the season, they won’t have to worry about his roster spot in the meantime. Placement on reserve/PUP during roster cutdowns means Higbee has to miss at least the first four games of the season (but they don’t expect him to return until after that anyway). Parkinson is obviously the starter, and will be the lead tight end in 11 personnel — but I will reiterate the Rams have liked all three tight ends and are happy they have the flexibility to get into other heavier personnels if needed against an opponent or due to injuries elsewhere.
Offensive line (10): Alaric Jackson, Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein, Joe Noteboom, Warren McClendon, Zach Thomas, Beaux Limmer, Conor McDermott
The reserves in this group will be a little more clear through the rest of the preseason, because currently three starters (the Jacksons and Havenstein) are out with injuries so others are getting snaps in their place.
GO DEEPER
‘The Playcallers’ Bonus Batch: Rams OC Mike LaFleur on league trends, ‘aha’ moments
Defensive line (6): Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Braden Fiske, Larrell Murchison*, Tyler Davis, Desjuan Johnson
Other than Brown, Davis has good size but lacks experience. Fiske and Turner have already developed good chemistry but the general lack of size along this front (and a lack of Aaron Donald) may make them vulnerable to the run.
Murchison hurt his arm during the game and did not return, so he is a player to keep an eye on as the depth chart continues to develop at this position.
Davis had a very good preseason debut, with six tackles (one for loss) and a quarterback hit.
Inside linebacker (4): Ernest Jones, Christian Rozeboom, Jake Hummel, Troy Reeder
Reeder was directly behind Jones and Rozeboom in training camp, ahead of Hummel. He didn’t play in the preseason, which normally would indicate that he has made the roster. Reeder will help on special teams, but in my opinion, infusing Hummel’s speed into the group is a good balance for Rozeboom if Jones misses any time (he is dealing with a knee injury) and Rozeboom is the No. 2. If Jones had not been dealing with the knee issue, I would only have the Rams keeping three inside linebackers.
Outside linebacker (5): Byron Young, Jared Verse, Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton
The Rams will be thrilled if they can eventually have four dependable pass rushers and one speedy rotational player after last season’s lack of depth. Jackson has been dealing with a soft-tissue injury but impressed in second-team reps prior to that. Hampton can also play special teams.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Sign Up
Cornerback (4): Tre’Davious White, Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Jerry Jacobs
The Rams will play safeties in their nickel/star role this season, as things currently stand. For that reason they could carry more safeties than cornerbacks.
Safety (5): Kam Curl, Quentin Lake (star No. 1), John Johnson III, Kam Kinchens, Russ Yeast (star No. 2)
Curl, Lake and Kinchens all had outstanding camps. Yeast’s spot bears monitoring, with a few other young safeties playing well. I could also see them keeping more safeties and one less inside linebacker, depending on Jones’ injury.
Specialists (3): Josh Karty (K), Alex Ward (LS), Ethan Evans (P)
One note — Karty said postgame that his directive on the new kickoff was to boot it out of the end zone. The Rams do not want to show too much of what they are working on in joint practices and closed practices in the preseason.
(Photo of Jordan Whittington: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
