The Los Angeles Rams are into their second week of training camp, which means players are getting more confident and comfortable on the field – particularly the young guys who are in their first NFL camp.
After a sloppy day on Tuesday, the Rams bounced back with what seemed to be a much cleaner day, according to Raheem Morris and Mike LaFleur, who spoke after practice. There were a few standout players on both sides of the ball, including Cobie Durant, Puka Nacua and Stetson Bennett.
Here’s what you need to know from Thursday’s practice, the sixth of camp.
1
Cobie Durant stands out in coverage
The Rams are going to lean on Durant as their top cornerback this season, moving him around the formation in his “star” role. And on Thursday, he seemed to have a great day in coverage, highlighted by two pass breakups during team drills. He deflected a pass intended for Austin Trammell down the left side and then got his hand on a pass that was thrown to Puka Nacua, preventing completions on both throws.
.@One4_era lockin' it down! 🔒🔒 pic.twitter.com/to8EuqihSV
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 4, 2023
2
Cooper Kupp considered day-to-day
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said after practice that he doesn’t know all the medicals, but he doesn’t seem concerned at all about Kupp’s injury. He considers the receiver day-to-day and said “he’ll be back in the right time,” a sign that Kupp will return when the games matter.
“So he is just going through the rehab process, but he’s day-to-day. He’ll be alright,” LaFleur said.
Kupp was out there on Thursday but he wasn’t practicing. He was only a spectator without pads.
Kupp still sidelined. pic.twitter.com/RFjDkWBNiL
— ryan anderson (@RLAndersonLAFB) August 3, 2023
3
Stetson Bennett is sharp again
Bennett is still splitting time with Brett Rypien as the backup to Matthew Stafford, but he seems to be getting better with each day of training camp. According to team reporter Stu Jackson, he threw a touchdown pass to rookie Xavier Smith, a pass that had great placement.
Great placement by Stetson Bennett on TD pass to Xavier Smith
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) August 4, 2023
Play-by-play analyst J.B. Long also added that the ball was in a perfect spot, mentioning that Bennett had a few nice throws in practice on Thursday.
Haven’t seen every throw today, but Stetson Bennett’s had a few nice ones including a perfectly-placed red zone TD just now in team drills. Nice signs of growth in Week 2 of Rams Camp.
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) August 4, 2023
4
Logan Bruss working at RT with the backups
Bruss has been projected to play guard with the Rams but the team is moving him around and giving him look at tackle, too. According to Ryan Anderson of LAFB, Bruss got reps at right tackle with the second-team offense. He played tackle in college so it’s not an unfamiliar position for him, but it’s still noteworthy that he’s getting opportunities to line up there – a spot that’s unquestionably occupied by Rob Havenstein in the starting lineup.
Bruss getting some reps as second team RT. https://t.co/xxMD32rbu3
— ryan anderson (@RLAndersonLAFB) August 4, 2023
5
Ben Skowronek returns to practice
Skowronek has been sidelined with a back injury but he returned to practice on Thursday. The Rams were already a bit thin at wideout with Cooper Kupp out, so it’s good for them to have Skowornek back on the field – no pun intended.
6
Puka Nacua getting reps as a returner
Nacua seemed to have another solid day, once again working with the first-team offense and Matthew Stafford. He made an impressive catch along the sideline, but that wasn’t the only notable thing he did in practice.
Matthew Stafford with the tight-window completion to Puka Nacua near the sideline during 11-on-11, with Nacua making an equally impressive catch with two defenders nearby
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) August 4, 2023
He also got some opportunities to work as a returner, which isn’t something he did in college. He’s known for being shifty with the ball in his hands so perhaps the Rams think he can help in that phase of the game this season.
Puka. Sneaky big in pads. Reps as returner and seems to be enjoying himself pic.twitter.com/IriA55rjrT
— ryan anderson (@RLAndersonLAFB) August 3, 2023
7
Brycen Hopkins has a good day
According to the Rams’ official site, Hopkins stood out in a positive way on Thursday. He got snaps with the first- and second-team offense, making a couple of nice plays on the receiving end of throws from Stafford, Bennett and Rypien.
Tight end Brycen Hopkins made plays across all facets of situational work Thursday. Besides making a nice catch on an intermediate pass from Stafford during team drills, he also was on the receiving end of a Bennett pass that picked up a good chunk of yardage and helped move the ball a 2-minute drill. That same series, he hauled in a shorter pass to keep the drive moving. In redzone work, he caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Brett Rypien.
8
Timarcus Davis getting first-team reps
The Rams don’t typically share video clips from practice that show who’s working with what unit, but in the brief snippets of Durant’s pass breakups, you can see a handful of players working with the starters – including undrafted rookie cornerback Timarcus Davis. That’s an unexpected development, and while it doesn’t mean he’s on track to start, it’s certainly worth noting.
Christian Rozeboom, Russ Yeast, Quentin Lake and Byron Young were also out there with the starters.
9
Interior of O-line may be taking shape
According to LAFB, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. and Steve Avila “seem to be locking down the guard spots.” That’s hardly surprising, given Avila’s draft pedigree and Anchrum’s strong standing with the coaching staff. Also, Brian Allen got all the first-team reps on Thursday, according to LAFB, but Coleman Shelton has also had practices where he got all the first-team reps.
