In the official starting lineup on Sunday night against the Bears, the Rams listed two tight ends. You’d think it was Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett, right? Higbee was on the field for the first snap, but Everett was not. Johnny Mundt got the start in his place, and it was an indication of Everett’s role the rest of the night.
Looking at the snap counts, Everett hardly played. Mundt out-snapped him in the Rams’ win, getting more playing time than the guy who’s viewed as the team’s best tight end? There are a couple possible explanations, but first, take a look at how the snaps broke down on offense.
Offense
Everett only played 25% of the snaps and didn’t see a single pass come his way until the fourth quarter – a 20-yard completion along the sideline. He was limited in practice all week with a wrist injury and listed as questionable going into the game, with Sean McVay saying he was sore coming out of the Rams’ loss to the Steelers. Could that injury have played a role in his limited snaps? Absolutely, and it probably did. With as much as the Rams ran the ball, McVay may have tried to protect Everett’s wrist by not asking him to run block much.
The Rams set out to run the ball straight at the Bears on Sunday night, giving Todd Gurley 25 carries. Everett is a capable blocker, but Mundt and Higbee are above him in that regard. The Rams utilized 12 personnel on 34 plays, which is their most of the season, and tried to establish the run. Getting two good blocking tight ends on the field was a priority for Los Angeles, and Everett simply didn’t get the call.
As for the rest of the offense, Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds played nearly every snap with Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods unavailable. Mike Thomas chipped in 20 snaps, but he didn’t have a single catch and dropped one pass.
Gurley once again carried the load out of the backfield, getting 75% of the snaps. Malcolm Brown played 11 snaps and got five carries on those plays. Darrell Henderson’s role was limited to three snaps.
Defense
Taylor Rapp had been playing nearly every snap on defense, but he had his role reduced to 80% on Sunday night. Nickell Robey-Coleman played his most snaps of the season, getting on the field for 88%. David Long also got some playing time at cornerback, earning 15 reps (20%). Marqui Christian played his usual third safety role with 42 snaps (55%).
The Rams continue to rotate their defensive line with the exception of Aaron Donald. Michael Brockers only played 68% of the snaps, giving way to Morgan Fox on the other 24 plays. Tanzel Smart helped spell Sebastian Joseph-Day at nose tackle, too.
The Rams leaned on Dante Fowler Jr. and Clay Matthews at outside linebacker in this one, giving them 66 and 62 snaps, respectively. This was Matthews’ first game without a sack since joining the Rams, while Fowler didn’t have a single tackle, QB hit or sack.
Cory Littleton continues to be the only inside linebacker to get meaningful playing time. Troy Reeder only played five snaps, making one tackle in that limited action.
