Robert Woods took a personal leave of absence from the Rams on Sunday, just a few hours before the team faced the Bears at home. He wasn’t in attendance at the Coliseum as he tended to a family matter, missing his first game of the season.
He returned to the team and practiced on Thursday, but his status for the Rams’ upcoming game against the Ravens remains up in the air. Neither he nor Sean McVay will commit to the wide receiver playing on Monday night.
After practice, Woods spoke out on his absence, keeping the details of his personal situation private.
“Just appreciate the Rams organization, allowing me to deal with my family matters, allowing me to keep this personal,” he said. “Came to practice today, first day back, it felt good to be back out there, being back with the guys and the team. Just taking it day by day, working towards being prepared for Monday night.”
Woods was asked how his coaches, teammates and those within the organization helped him through this situation, saying everyone reached out to him while he was away.
“Big time. Just being there, allowing me to just be supportive of my family,” he said. “Everyone in our organization reached out, supported my decision, supported me through this and still do.”
Woods declined to say exactly what happened that caused him to take some time away from the team, saying “it’s something I’m going to keep private – family, we’ll deal with it at home.”
It wasn’t a difficult decision for him to tend to the matter, putting his family above his occupation.
“Football is my job. My family is over my job. It wasn’t really a difficult decision,” he said.
When asked if he’ll play against the Ravens, he said he “planning on just taking it day by day, keep working towards that goal.”
Woods wouldn’t say whether the matter is behind him or if there are long-term concerns with the situation.
“Just working day by day, can only take it a day at a time,” he said.
The Rams could certainly use Woods against the Ravens on Monday night, and the goal is for him to play. However, if he can’t go, at least the offense will have Brandin Cooks back, who is returning from a concussion suffered before the bye.
Against a team like the Ravens, though, they need all hands on deck if possible.
