IRVINE, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay does not usually play starters (or sometimes even first and second-teamers) in preseason games.
But next week, when the Rams open their preseason against the Chargers in SoFi Stadium, that strategy will change.
“It’s going to be very different than what you guys are accustomed to,” said McVay after Saturday’s training camp practice. “We haven’t decided, exactly, but we’ve got to get guys ready to go (and) there’s a lot of players on this team that haven’t had an opportunity to suit up (and) play real tackle football, that we’re going to be counting on against Seattle.
“It’s going to be a very different approach.”
Core veterans — quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, receiver Cooper Kupp (who is dealing with a hamstring issue and is day to day), right tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee — are unlikely to play.
But those types of veterans are few and far between for a team that, so far this year, fluctuates anywhere between 35 to 40 rookies, depending on the typical cuts/signings roster churn that is normal this time of year.
“We’re still kind of working through that, but it will be very different than kind of what we’ve been accustomed to,” said McVay. “The guys that have been big contributors, that have played a lot of snaps, we’ll tilt toward being smart with them.
“But for the most part, there’s going to be a lot of guys (who) are playing and very few guys (who) won’t be.”
The Rams also have upcoming joint practices against the Raiders and the Broncos, where the more veteran players can also get close to game-like reps even if they aren’t playing in the preseason. McVay added Saturday that he hopes Kupp will be back on the field by the time the Raiders arrive for those sessions in Thousand Oaks, Calif. later this month.
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(Photo: Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports)
