WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - The Rams’ Week 4 picture got a lot murkier Friday, with Aaron Donald ruled out because of back soreness, Terrance Ferguson placed on injured reserve and Xavier Smith waived as the team tries to steady itself after a 1-2 start.
Sean McVay said Donald came out of last week’s loss to the Denver Broncos with soreness that had not eased the way the Rams expected. The coach made clear the decision was about keeping Donald from pushing through something that could get worse.
“He’s as tough as it gets, but just not feeling good enough,” McVay said. “He would do it and he could probably go be productive, but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves and that’s what went into the decision.”
McVay said he discussed the call with Reggie Scott, the Rams’ senior vice president of sports medicine and performance. He didn’t give a timetable for Donald’s return, but said the veteran lineman is doing everything he can to get back.
“You guys know him, he’s working as hard as he can to get himself feeling as good as possible,” McVay said. “We’re hopeful and optimistic that good days are ahead.”
Donald’s absence comes at a rough time for a defense already waiting on Myles Garrett. McVay said Garrett is making progress in rehab and has been involved in meetings, though there’s still no specific timeline for his return.
The Rams also ruled out cornerback Jaylen Watson. Outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart is questionable with groin soreness, and tight end Colby Parkinson did not practice Friday and is questionable as well, leaving the Rams thin at tight end after Ferguson was moved to injured reserve.
There was better news on offense. Puka Nacua is set to play, and McVay said the receiver looked sharp in Thursday’s practice, the heaviest workload of the week. The team will keep an eye on his conditioning and manage his snaps, but McVay sounded confident.
“He’s good to go,” McVay said. “I think physically he’s getting in and out of his breaks, looks strong, looks sturdy, looks explosive.”
Smith’s release was tied directly to the Rams’ frustration with the return game. McVay said the move was made Thursday night and delivered to Smith Friday morning, with the team wanting more from both the production and the decision-making at the position.
“We just need better production out of that position,” McVay said. “That’s exclusively what it was.”
He added that the decision wasn’t personal, even while acknowledging Smith’s path and their relationship. Still, McVay said the Rams needed to clean up the way they handled the ball on returns.
“We have to make better decisions. We have to be able to field it,” McVay said. “It doesn’t mean that I love him any less, but we need better production from that position that he was playing a critical factor in.”
For now, practice squad receiver Alex Bachman looks like the likeliest answer in the return game. McVay also mentioned Kyren Williams as a trusted option, though he made it clear he’d rather not burden his starting running back with that duty.
“There are candidates, but Bachman would be the guy in the immediate future that we feel good about,” McVay said.
The Rams may still look at other return possibilities, but McVay said he’s encouraged by what he’s seen this week as the team tries to get all three phases working in sync after dropping two of its first three.
“This story is not yet written,” McVay said. “We’ve got a lot of ball ahead of us, but we have to start doing what we can on a daily basis, and that’s what I’ve seen from this group this week which I’ve been really encouraged with.”
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